Distinguish between Objective and Projective Personality Tests

Objective personality tests typically involve a series of relatively straightforward questions presented in multiple-choice format. These questions are designed to capture certain aspects of an individual’s behavior and beliefs. While some may ask about personal preferences or experiences (e.g., “Which type of animal do you prefer?”), most focus on more abstract topics like problem solving abilities (e.g., “What would be your best approach for dealing with a difficult situation?”). In addition to providing direct answers, objective tests also require participants to rate their agreement or disagreement with pre-determined statements (e.g., “I am not easily discouraged”). The goal is to obtain measurable data without any potential bias introduced by the researcher administering the test (Chamberlain & Haaga 2019).