Posted: January 26th, 2023

What is the difference between a personality test and a psychological test?

What is the difference between a personality test and a psychological test?
Distinguishing Personality Tests from Psychological Tests
When it comes to evaluating an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it can be easy to confuse personality tests and psychological tests. However, while both types of assessments serve similar purposes, they differ in their design, objectives, and method of administration.

Personality Tests: Measuring Personality Traits
Personality tests are designed to assess an individual’s unique pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, with the aim of understanding their personality type and traits. The objective of these tests is to gain insights into an individual’s strengths and weaknesses, preferences, and tendencies.

One of the most widely used personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which categorizes individuals into one of 16 personality types based on their preferences for extraversion, intuition, thinking, and perceiving. Another popular personality test is the Big Five Personality Traits, which measures levels of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. The Enneagram Personality System is yet another example of a personality test, which identifies nine different personality types based on an individual’s motivations, emotions, and worldview.

Personality tests are usually self-administered, either online or in written form, and the results are used to gain insights into an individual’s personality and preferences. These insights can be helpful in making informed decisions about one’s career, relationships, and personal development.

Psychological Tests: Diagnosing and Treating Mental Health Problems
Psychological tests, on the other hand, are designed to measure a wide range of mental processes and behaviors, including cognitive abilities, memory, perception, and emotional functioning. The objective of these tests is to diagnose and treat mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Psychological tests are typically administered by licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatrists. These tests can be used to gather information about an individual’s symptoms, thoughts, and behaviors, and to develop a treatment plan that addresses their specific needs.

For example, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a widely used psychological test that is used to diagnose various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Another example is the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which is used to assess the severity of depression symptoms in individuals.

Key Differences
While personality tests and psychological tests both aim to evaluate an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, there are several key differences between the two:

Objectives: Personality tests are designed to understand an individual’s personality traits, while psychological tests are designed to diagnose and treat mental health problems.

Design: Personality tests are self-administered and focused on personality traits, while psychological tests are administered by mental health professionals and focused on mental processes and behaviors.

Method of Administration: Personality tests are usually self-administered, while psychological tests are typically administered by mental health professionals.

Results: The results of personality tests are used to gain insights into an individual’s personality and preferences, while the results of psychological tests are used to diagnose and treat mental health problems.

The Importance of Understanding the Differences
It is important to understand the differences between personality tests and psychological tests in order to choose the right type of assessment for your needs. While both types of tests can provide valuable insights into an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it is essential to choose the right type of test based on the specific information you are seeking.

For example, if you are looking to gain a deeper understanding of your personality and how it impacts your life a personality test might be the better option. On the other hand, if you are experiencing mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, a psychological test administered by a licensed mental health professional may be necessary to diagnose and treat your condition.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between a personality test and a psychological test can help you make informed decisions about your mental and emotional health. While both types of tests serve different purposes, they can both be valuable tools for gaining insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

References:
American Psychological Association. (2021). Personality Assessment. https://www.apa.org/research/topic/personality-assessment
American Psychological Association. (2021). Psychological Tests. https://www.apa.org/research/topic/psychological-tests
Lenzenweger, M. F. (2017). Personality assessment: A conceptual and empirical overview. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 587-617. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011923
Millon, T., & Davis, R. D. (2015). Psychological assessment and the DSM-5. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 6(1), 77-87. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1332
Paunonen, S. V. (2015). Personality assessment: Current issues and future directions. Journal of Personality, 83(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12137

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