[http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/personality/section4/page/2/]
a.) Humanistic psychologists are known for trying to see people’s lives as for what they are. They believe that individuals are responsible and in control of their lives and actions and that they also have the freedom and will to change their attitudes and behaviors. Humanistic psychologists tend to have an optimistic perspective on human nature and focuses on how humans are able to think consciously and rationally, and how ultimately they can achieve their highest potential.
Humanistic psychology opened the doors to a new way of looking at individuals and …show more content…
a.)By definition, personality inventories are any of several tests that attempt to characterize the personality of an individual by objective scoring of replies to a large number of questions concerning his or her own behavior. However, in simpler terms, personality inventories (such as the MMPI) are questionnaires on which people respond to items designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors. Test items are empirically derived, and the tests are objectively scored. But people can fake their answers to create good impression, and the ease of computerized testing may lead to misuse of the tests.
Self-report inventories are a good look when researchers need to conduct a large number of tests in a relatively short period of time. Especially given that some self-report inventories can be taken in a short period of time’ sometimes in a 15-minute span. Furthermore, an advantage of personality inventories is that they are looked upon as more reliable and and valid than projective tests. However, there are disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages are the fact that some MMPI tests are extremely long; sometimes taking 3 hours to complete. Also, another disadvantage is the fact that some people can fake their answers in a sense of creating another persona for themselves; making them look like an angel or a devil. With the false information, it can lead to biased answers …show more content…
Underlying this research is the assumption that the self, as organizer of our thoughts, feelings, and actions, is pivotal in understanding personality. One example of research on the self is the study of possible selves. It explores people's visions of the self they dream of becoming. Such possible selves motivate us by laying out specific goals and calling forth the energy to work toward them. Another example is the study of the spotlight effect, which reflects our tendency to overestimate others' noticing and evaluating our appearance, performance, and