Which technique of personality assessment puts individuals into certain categories in terms of their behavioural qualities?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Behavioural rating
Option (1) Interview — Incorrect. In an interview the interviewer asks questions and forms an impression from the way the person presents herself/himself and answers; structured interviews follow a set procedure. It does not put people into categories.
Option (2) Behavioural rating — Correct. Behavioural ratings are taken from people who know the assessee intimately. They attempt to put individuals into certain categories in terms of their behavioural qualities, the categories being numbers or descriptive terms.
Option (3) Nomination — Incorrect. Nomination is used for peer assessment: each person chooses one or more members of the group with whom she/he would like to work, study or play, and the choices received are analysed. It rests on choices, not on placing people into categories.
Option (4) Situational test — Incorrect. The most common is the situational stress test: the person performs a task with others told to be non-cooperative, and her/his behaviour under stress is observed. It watches how a person acts in a set situation; it does not put people into categories.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behavioural Ratings … Behavioural ratings are frequently used for assessment of personality in educational and industrial settings. Behavioural ratings are generally taken from people who know the assessee intimately and have interacted with her/him over a period of time or have had a chance to observe her/him. They attempt to put individuals into certain categories in terms of their behavioural qualities.…” “Nomination … This method is often used in obtaining peer assessment. It can be used with persons who have been in long-term interaction and who know each other very well. In using nomination, each person is asked to choose one or more persons of the group with whom s/he would like to work, study, play or participate in any other activity.…” “Situational Tests … A variety of situational tests have been devised for the assessment of personality. The most commonly used test of this kind is the situational stress test. It provides us with information about how a person behaves under stressful situations.…” |