The ?????Person????? in Personality Testing 1917

[_Imwashingmypirate]

The “Person” in Personality Testing
by Dr. Greg A. Grove, Ph.D. Education

Called the grandfather of present-day personality tests, the Woodworth Personal Data Sheet was birthed in 1917 as a tool for eliminating emotionally unstable soldiers as unfit for duty in the United States Army. The final test consisted of 116 questions to which the examinee answered either “yes” or “no.”

Over the years the Personal Data Sheet has been subjected to all kinds of revisions and reviews. Regardless of the revision or review, the five main revisions between 1920 and 1930 involved no change in the logic or technique of test construction. Revisions after 1930, however, did result in many significantly improved personality tests such as those by Laird, Allport, Thurstone, and ultimately, Bernreuter’s Personality Inventory and Bell’s Adjustment Inventory.

Here are a few of the original 1917 questions which I find intellectually intriguing. How would you rate yourself on them? (Any “yes” answer propels you toward extinction in the Army!)

Question 6: Do you have too many sexual dreams?
Question 13: Do things ever seem to swim or get misty before your eyes?
Question 29: Have you ever lost your memory for a time?
Question 31: Were you happy when 14 to 18 years old?
Question 38: Has your family always treated you right?
Question 42: Do people find fault with you more than you deserve?
Question 44: Did you ever make love to a girl?
Question 48: Do you think drinking has hurt you?
Question 50: Do you think you have hurt yourself by going too much with women?
Question 52: Did you ever think you had lost your manhood?
Question 53: Have you ever had any great mental shock?
Question 54: Have you ever seen a vision?
Question 57: Have you ever felt as if someone was hypnotizing you and making you act against your will?
Question 58: Have you ever been bothered by the feeling that people are reading your thoughts?
Question 62: Are you troubled with the fear of being crushed in a crowd?
Question 81: Do you find it difficult to pass urine in the presence of others?
Question 102: Did you ever have St. Vitus’s dance?
Question 113: Can you stand pain quietly?
Question 115: Can you stand disgusting smells?

[_Dr. Shades]

Talk about an easy test to beat! I would've just given all the "wrong" answers so I wouldn't be drafted.

[_RockSlider]

Talk about an easy test to beat! I would've just given all the "wrong" answers so I wouldn't be drafted.

ahhh haa, you missed the "checker-trap", a YES answer on question 6 implies a sick-o!

[_Jersey Girl]

Why did they want to know if people ever had St. Vitus Dance?

[_Dr. Shades]

ahhh haa, you missed the "checker-trap", a YES answer on question 6 implies a sick-o!

Right. And I'd thereby avoid being drafted.

That's the whole point.

[_RockSlider]

ahhh haa, you missed the "checker-trap", a YES answer on question 6 implies a sick-o!

Right. And I'd thereby avoid being drafted.

That's the whole point.

But you answered NO to this question, so you are not a sick-0 ... your drafted!

edit:

reminds me of the country western song ... too much fun, what's that mean?

too much money, too much fun, too many sex dreams ... none of these are possible to the healthy mind, lol

[_Imwashingmypirate]

I think it will be about obedience. Some answers would have yes answers, but, if you are willing to do what it takes to get in it shows you will likely mold yourself to fit what they want.

Also I think it depends on how you look at the questions.

Like number 44, could be referring to a child, rather than a woman. Maybe it says a lot about what you are willing to conform to.

What is St Vitus's Dance? I know google...
http://arthritis-symptom.com/s-z/St-Vitus'-dance.htm

I guess you don't want Old Testament be on the front line and start jerking about, you might set off mines lol.

[_Jersey Girl]

I think it will be about obedience. Some answers would have yes answers, but, if you are willing to do what it takes to get in it shows you will likely mold yourself to fit what they want.

Also I think it depends on how you look at the questions.

Like number 44, could be referring to a child, rather than a woman. Maybe it says a lot about what you are willing to conform to.

What is St Vitus's Dance? I know google...
http://arthritis-symptom.com/s-z/St-Vitus'-dance.htm

I guess you don't want Old Testament be on the front line and start jerking about, you might set off mines lol.

St. Vitus dance is a childhood condition that accompanies rheumatic fever. My mother had both when she was young and was extremely ill. I'm not sure that adults can get it. I don't see the relevance in the survey, except that it could be a way to find out of a person had rheumatic fever and damaged heart valves.

[_JonasS]

Question 6: Do you have too many sexual dreams? (No - What's too many?)

Question 13: Do things ever seem to swim or get misty before your eyes? (Do you mean have I ever cried? - yes)

Question 29: Have you ever lost your memory for a time? (Not clinically)

Question 31: Were you happy when 14 to 18 years old? (Not really)

Question 38: Has your family always treated you right? (Not really)

Question 42: Do people find fault with you more than you deserve? (No-People find fault with me less than I deserve)

Question 44: Did you ever make love to a girl? (No)

Question 48: Do you think drinking has hurt you? (No)

Question 50: Do you think you have hurt yourself by going too much with women? (No)

Question 52: Did you ever think you had lost your manhood? (OHHH YES!!!)

Question 53: Have you ever had any great mental shock? (Not greatly)

Question 54: Have you ever seen a vision? (Don't know)

Question 57: Have you ever felt as if someone was hypnotizing you and making you act against your will? (Nope, I don't consider a part of myself as being someone)

Question 58: Have you ever been bothered by the feeling that people are reading your thoughts? (This is an odd question, as if to say people are reading your thoughts but does it bother you. The answer is yes)

Question 62: Are you troubled with the fear of being crushed in a crowd? (Yes- I have had the fear of being crushed in a room containing 4 people)

Question 81: Do you find it difficult to pass urine in the presence of others? (not physically difficult, I just don't like people to hear)

Question 102: Did you ever have St. Vitus’s dance? (No)

Question 113: Can you stand pain quietly? (I often do-yes)

Question 115: Can you stand disgusting smells?(I can stand most, I might not enjoy it though. I can't stand the smell of some normal things though, like eggs)


Looks like I will be kicked out lol.