PSYCHOMETRIC TEST

PSYCHOMETRIC TEST

Introduction

Mental capabilities and how people behave including their traits can be determined using psychometric tests. The tests are used to evaluate if an individual can perform tasks in the right manner depending on their personalities and cognitive nature. It is not easy to understand some candidate’s hidden traits from a face to face interaction only. For this reason the psychometric tests enable interviewers to match roles to be carried and the cognitive abilities presented by the candidate. Psychometric test have been evaluated statistically and have been proven to be unbiased and objective through standard assessments. Traits have various dimensions which cut across set of skills, motives, personality, behavior change in social settings and other capabilities. Good traits are associated to behavior patterns that depict dispositional habits like values and motives that are good and ambiguity with comfort. The aim of trait approaches is to show how one responds to contexts. For instance introverts cannot carry out roles the same way as extraverts.

These trait approaches aim at manifesting these behavioral patterns in productivity. For instance extraverts have a synergic energy in them which enables them to become talkative whereas introverts embrace solitary behavior patterns and are reserved. Depending on the working environments extraverts can be suitable in a more stimulating environment unlike introverts who will be comfortable in a less stimulating one. There are traits that can be observed yet there are some which are permanent in most people (Fischer, 2003). For instance, cardinal traits are dominant because they bring out observable behavior patterns. This trait powerful because it depicts itself as the passionate trait. The other trait is referred to as central traits because these traits portray general behavioral characteristics that vary in each and every individual for example kindness, loyalty, wildness and friendliness.

Factor analytic theory as described by Cattell is a technique that is widely used empirical tool by present investigators. This is because the theory is based on the idea of correlation whereby two variables change together with time. This theory emphasizes on how strong the variation tendency relates to a similar strength of correlation between the two compared variables. According Cattell the term factor means trait, therefore, factor analysis is described as a method that is used to identify traits which bring out ones personality. The type of analysis that measures many variables and results intercorrelated is termed as R-Technique. Another factor analysis that examines the strength of many traits over time especially for particular individuals is also termed as P-Technique. Cattell further believes there are two more traits categorized as surface traits and source traits. Surface traits are those that seem to apply in a similar nature.

Other aspects of analytic theory by Cattell is that surface traits can easily be identified through observation. Cattell feels that individuals can hold up to sixteen source traits including the genetic traits that he calls constitutional traits (Cattell, 1978). Among other relevant traits in his perspective is the ability traits that depict how good one is at performing tasks. He further categorizes the ability trait into Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence. The Fluid one generally portrays the ability to solving problems and the crystallized one depicts cumulative knowledge gained in school through experience. There are also dynamic traits which determine what motives people to particular goals. Cattell further categorizes this trait into meta-ergs and ergs. Ergs is related to one’s biological needs, their instincts and what drives them towards a task primarily (Roeckelein, 1998). Whereas meta-ergs reflect on attitudes and sentiments. Sentiments force one to take action by classifying events and objectives while attitudes respond directly to events and objectives that are specific.

An organized behavior pattern depicts the nature of personality development which makes each person distinctive from the other. One can only develop their personality through the environment they spend much of their time, heredity factors, the characters they practice, and their temperaments (Wiggins, 1996). Other factors that can influence personality are cultural believes and indirect genetic forces. The environment and temperament influence ones personality more according to psychologists. The quality of parenting also plays a bigger role in the development of an individual’s personality especially when they are young (Simanowitz, 2003). When behavior change is adjusted it can cause implications like neurosis. Maturity is the best way to ultimately change ones behavior patterns for the better.

The basic theories that explain personality include, Eysenck which describes personality as an enduring organization that is encompassed by character that ranges from ones physique, intellect and temperament. The super factors for this theory elaborates on the degree of how some people are outgoing while some are not and how others are emotionally unstable whereas others are (Kahn, & Wright, 2013). The theory also explains the neurotic nature of those who are emotionally stable and those who are highly neurotic. The emotionally stable ones are easily aroused but those who have high neurotic levels can only be easily aroused through emotional stimuli. Eysenck developed many instruments to emphasize on traits and peoples personalities. Some of the instruments were the Eysenck Personality Inventory and the Maudsley Medical Questionnaire.

Conclusion

            In summary the psychometric test covers a wide range of traits that define the capability of an individual to carry out tasks as expected. Traits have various dimensions which cut across set of skills, motives, personality, behavior change in social settings and other capabilities.