Compare and contrast self-report and performance-based tests

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Again, the student has a variety of valid topics that he/or she may decide to apply to this question. The basic issues have to do with the unstructured somewhat open-ended nature of performance-based tests, for example the TAT, and the more structured, limited-response nature of the self-report style, for example the Adjective Check List. It could be noted that self-report used to be called objective and performance-based used to be called projective. It should be mentioned that there is considerable evidence of low validity for performance-based methods. Examples of the structured nature of self-report tests could refer to Likert-type scales and forced-choice scales. The main example of a self-report scale in the textbook is the Machiavellianism Scale.

Examples of performance-based tests mentioned in the textbook include the Rorschach and TAT. The textbook gives examples of Association techniques (Rorschach); Construction techniques (TAT); Completion techniques (sentence completion); Arrangement (pick your favorite color); and Expression techniques (puppet play).