Objective Vs Projective Test 

Psychological tests measuring a person’s characteristics independently of the taker’s bias or personal beliefs. Such tests typically yield more accurate results than self-reporting or projective models, which reveal unconscious perceptions.

Example: A psychologist gives a test composed primarily of rating scales and true-false questions. 

It is intended to minimise subjectivity or bias on the part of the person administering the measure so that administering and interpreting the results do not depend on the examiner's judgement. Objective tests are measures in which responses maximise objectivity, in the sense that response options are structured such that examinees have only a limited set of options (e.g., Likert scale, true or false).

Although the term ‘objective test’ encompasses a wide range of tests with which most people are somewhat familiar (i.e. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Graduate Record Examination, and the Standardized Achievement Test), it is a term that arose out of the field of personality assessment, as a response and contrast to the growing popularity of tests known as projective tests. These ‘projective tests’ require examinees to generate unstructured responses to ambiguous tasks or activities, the content of which is supposed to represent their personal characteristics (e.g. internal attitudes, personality traits).

However, the distinction between objective and projective tests is misleading, as it implies that objective tests are not subject to the influence of bias. Although the fixed response style of objective tests does not require interpretation on the part of the examiner during the administration and scoring of the measure, responses to questions are subject to the examinee’s own response style and biases, in much the same way they are for projective measures; therefore, both test ‘types’ are vulnerable to subjective factors that may affect scores. Additionally, the examinee's personal history, any current worries, and the plethora of variables that can influence the examinee's scores on the assessment are taken into account when interpreting the results of any assessment, projective or objective alike. As a result, both projective and objective exams have the potential to introduce bias and, to varied degrees, depend on interpretation judgement. The advantages of a particular usage of test scores should be assessed rather than categorising tests based on overt but superficial test characteristics.

Merits of Objective Type Test:

1.             A greater sampling of the content is possible with an objective type test.

2.             It can be scored objectively and easily. The scoring will not vary from time to time or from examiner to examiner.

3.              This test reduces

     (a) The role of luck and

     (b) Cramming of expected questions. As a result, there is greater reliability and better content validity.

4.               These questions are more effective at motivating people.

5.       It is time-efficient because answering it takes less time than an essay test. Comparatively, pupils can be shown a lot of exam items. Additionally, it saves the scorer time.

6. Eliminating elements like writing speed, expressive fluency, literary style, readable handwriting, neatness, etc. that are superfluous or extraneous.

7. It gauges the more sophisticated mental functions of comprehension, application, analysis, forecasting, and interpretation.

8.              It permits stencil, machine or clerical scoring. Thus scoring is very easy.

Limitations of Objective Type Test:

1. It is impossible to evaluate objectives like the capacity to organise information, the capacity to deliver information clearly and coherently, etc.

2. Making educated guesses is possible. Including a lot many stuff will undoubtedly decrease your chances of success.

3. The outcome could be deceptive if a respondent stamps every response as correct.

4. The objective test items are tough to construct, but they are simple to answer.

5. They demand more analysis than synthesis, which brings us.

6. The test does not at all test linguistic proficiency.

7. Printing is far more expensive than an essay test.

 

Projective Test

Projective test content is evaluated for meaning rather than being scored to a single standard as with an objective personality test. Projective personality tests claim to be able to gauge elements of your unconscious mind such personality traits, worries, doubts, and attitude. Some employers utilise this kind of testing to determine whether you are a good fit for their workplace. This approach of testing was developed by Francis Galton. In 1897, he carried out his first experiment, which involved picking a few words and allowing his mind to freely associate them.He then took the words that he generated in reaction to the original list and put them into new classifications which led think more about the possibilities of sub-consciousness and thought.

Example: The Rorschach inkblot test, where subjects are asked to describe what they see in ambiguous images, is the best-known projective personality test.

A personality test used in psychology is the projective test. This exam is carried out to comprehend the person's stimuli. In addition, the exam shows several forms of a person's concealed emotions; it also aids in understanding a person's internal issues. The objective test or a self-report test are other names for this.

The responses received from this test are properly analyzed by the experts – the presumptions are analyzed on the basis of a universal standard.

The projective tests are done under the assumption that humans have conscious and unconscious motivation and attitudes.

1. It maintains conscious and unconscious constraints:

The test confirms that every person has different demands, both conscious and unconscious. The projective tests can be used to comprehend these needs. The notion that these projective assessments may lean more toward personality is one that is frequently held. This is why it primarily addresses both conscious and unconscious components of natural human behaviour.

2. It results in spontaneous outcomes:

The person's requirements emerge organically; they are not edited in any way. It is a true representation of a person's cognitive process. Because of this, these projective tests capture the majority of unplanned actions taken by people. Additionally, it depicts the person's demands and desires clearly when they are in the midst of an emotional crisis roller coaster rides.

3. It depends upon non-verbal communication:

The subject of the test is not required to provide verbal information for the test. The person's spontaneous statements made while administering the tests are used to confirm the results.

In plainer language, it is possible to comprehend the genuine personal behaviour. Thus, it is one of the most nonverbal forms of communication wherein individuals express themselves, and which may be influenced by actions, responses, and attitudes.

4. Motivational barriers:

This investigation comprehends every personality reaction's outcome. Most significantly, all of the drives, precepts, and attitudes are easily discernible. And for that reason, adding obstacles to motivation can raise the stakes for this projective test hypothesis.

Types of Projective Tests:

There are various types of projective tests which are carried out on the individuals depending upon the needs of the person.

1. Rorschach test

2. Holtzman Inkblot test

3. Thematic Apperception Test

4. Behavioral test

5. Graphology

6. Sentence completion test:

7. The Draw-A-Person Test

8. The House-Tree-Person Test

 

Advantages of Projective Tests:

Since the findings of projective tests can differ from a person's personality, they have sparked several arguments and conflicts among professionals. But the truth is that these tests have, for the most part, come back positive. The results of this test have benefited a lot of people.

The specialists were able to assist the client in altering their behaviour and adopting a positive outlook on life. There are numerous assumptions that might be considered while doing projective testing.

Projective tests have created many debates and controversies among the experts – because at times the results may vary as compared to the personality of the person. But the fact is that these tests have proved to be positive to a large extent. There are many persons who have been benefitted because of this test.

Because they have a very common and straightforward manner of expressing their personality. Therefore, before making a final judgement, it is vital to comprehend the concept of projective tests.

People may experience various changes in their characters. And those personalities could completely mislead them.

To be clear, projection test includes a section for personality research. This section on personality studies explains the purpose of these projection tests in more detail.

Therefore, it is assumed that in terms of their visual restrictions, the projection test is superior to the stimulus.

The outcome of any form of test or examination will typically depend on the response and reflection of human behaviour. Fortunately, these projection tests led to a distraction where all of the respondent's test findings were taken into account as advantages for their own purposes. As a result, a response can better appreciate the facts and advantages of these projection tests thanks to them.

The person is unaware of what they are disclosing during the projective tests because of these tests. And all of the respondents cited it as one of the main advantages.

When performing a projective examination, the examiner's or expert's age is also taken into account. During such tests, special instructions and hints are given. As a result, projection tests' extra advantages might be used to comprehend typical human behaviour.