Practice question · Multiple choice
People shown a personality profile of vague, broadly flattering statements rate it as strikingly accurate about themselves, even when everyone receives the identical text. What does the Barnum effect imply for assessment?
Hints
- Everyone got the same paragraph. Ask what their agreement can therefore establish.
- 'That's so me' is a measurement of what, exactly?
Show the answer
D. That felt accuracy is worthless as evidence a test works
Why
Agreement measures the reader, not the instrument, the identical text convinces everyone, so recognition cannot certify a test. It is why horoscopes and some commercial personality products feel uncanny, and why validity is demonstrated by predicting something rather than by satisfied customers.
Practise Personality Assessment
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