Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Assessing personality refers to the process of evaluating an individual's unique characteristics, traits, and behaviors to gain insights into their psychological makeup.
Trait theory focuses on identifying and measuring stable characteristics that define individuals' personalities.
Behavioral Assessment: Behavioral assessment involves observing and recording specific behaviors in order to assess an individual's personality or psychological functioning.
Self-report Measures: Self-report measures are questionnaires or surveys filled out by individuals themselves to provide information about their own personality traits and behaviors.