Question

What are the differences between projective and non-projective tests? Which do you think are more accurate and why?

Answer 1

Projective tests refer to the test that is based on psychoanalysis which works on the unconscious perceptions of people. Psychoanalysis uses techniques such as free association, transference, dream analysis to study the unconscious mind on a case to case basis. One such test is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).  Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) asks the participant to create a story about an ambiguous scene. The idea behind this impromptu storytelling is to project the motives, conflicts, and personality into a story they create. On the other hand,non-projective tests or objective tests assess personality using a self-report questionnaire. In a self-report questionnaire, participants are asked to respond to a series of questions relating to the personality traits usually in an agree/disagree or true/false format. The questions may deal with personal interests, values, symptoms, and behaviors. The non-projective tests or objective tests tend to have more validity than projective tests. But depend a lot on the willingness of the subject to be open about his/her personality and can sometimes not be a very reliable of the true personality of the subject. Projective tests, on the other hand, are premised on the unconscious perceptions of people. This kind of evaluation of the personality is impossible to measure by means of an objective test.