Personality Assessment . . . Trait or Type?
In the majority of contexts personality is assessed through the use of self-report questionnaires focused on the assessment of traits or types.
In the majority of contexts personality is assessed through the use of self-report questionnaires focused on the assessment of traits or types.
Assessment of traits gives an insight into an individual's current way of thinking, working and responding and looks at the differences between people. They are particularly useful when matching a person to a particular role especially in a recruitment or current change context.
Traits, however, can change over time through experience or as the result of a significant incident. Type assessments look at the deeper level aspects of personality that are less likely to change over time. They look at the similarities between people and preferred ways of responding to the world and are particularly useful to inform longer term development planning.
There are numerous examples of Trait instruments on the market, for example Wave and OPQ32.
The most widely used personality Type instrument is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It is essential to make sure that the instrument chosen has been well researched for validity and reliability.
If you would like to learn more about MBTI Step I & II, please select and download the MBTI Step I & II PDF document on the right.
