What is a Self-Report?In psychology, a self-report is any test, measure, or survey that relies on an individual's own report of their symptoms, behaviors, beliefs, or attitudes. Self-report data is gathered typically in paper-and-pencil or electronic format or sometimes through an interview. Show
Self-reporting is commonly used in psychological studies because it can yield valuable and diagnostic information to a researcher or a clinician. This article explores examples of how self-report data is used in psychology. It also covers the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. Examples of Self-ReportsTo understand how self-reports are used in psychology, it can be helpful to look at some examples. Some many well-known assessments and inventories rely on self-reporting to collect data. The MMPIOne of the most commonly used self-report tools is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for personality testing. This inventory includes more than 500 questions focused on different areas, including behaviors, psychological health, interpersonal relationships, and attitudes. It is often used as a mental health assessment, but it is also used in legal cases, custody evaluations, and as a screening instrument for some careers. The 16 Personality Factor (PF) QuestionnaireThis personality inventory is often used as a diagnostic tool to help therapists plan treatment. It can be used to learn more about various individual characteristics, including empathy, openness, attitudes, attachment quality, and coping style. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)The MBTI is a popular personality measure that describes personality types in four categories: introversion or extraversion, sensing or intuiting, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. A letter is taken from each category to describe a person's personality type, such as INTP or ESFJ. RecapPersonality inventories and psychology assessments often utilize self-reporting for data collection. Examples include the MMPI, the 16PF Questionnaire, and the MBTI. Advantages of Self-Report DataOne of the primary advantages of self-reporting is that it can be easy to obtain. It is also an important way that clinicians diagnose their patients—by asking questions. Those making the self-report are usually familiar with filling out questionnaires. For research, it is inexpensive and can reach many more test subjects than could be analyzed by observation or other methods. It can be performed relatively quickly, so a researcher can obtain results in days or weeks rather than observing a population over the course
of a longer time frame. Self-reports can be made in private and can be anonymized to protect sensitive information and perhaps promote truthful responses. Disadvantages of Self-Report DataCollecting information through a self-reporting has limitations. People are often biased when they report on their own experiences. For example, many individuals are either consciously or unconsciously influenced by "social desirability." That is, they are more likely to report experiences that are considered to be socially acceptable or preferred. Self-reports are subject to these biases and limitations:
Self-Report Info With Other Data Most experts in psychological research and diagnosis suggest that self-report data should not be used alone, as it tends to be biased. Research is best done when combining self-reporting with other information, such as an individual’s behavior or physiological data. This “multi-modal” or “multi-method” assessment provides a more global, and therefore more likely accurate, picture of the subject. The questionnaires used in research should be checked to see if they produce consistent results over time. They also should be validated by another data method demonstrating that responses measure what they claim they measure. Questionnaires and responses should be easy to discriminate between controls and the test group. How to Create a Self-Report StudyIf you are creating a self-report tool for psychology research, there are a few key steps you should follow. First, decide what type of data you want to collect. This will determine the format of your questions and the type of scale you use. Next, create a pool of questions that are clear and concise. The goal is to have several items that cover all the topics you wish to address. Finally, pilot your study with a small group to ensure it is valid and reliable. RecapWhen creating a self-report study, determine what information you need to collect and test the assessment with a group of individuals to determine if the instrument is reliable. A Word From VerywellSelf-reporting can be a useful tool for collecting data. The benefits of self-report data include lower costs and the ability to collect data from a large number of people. However, self-report data can also be biased and prone to errors. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Thanks for your feedback! What has been shown to increase the accuracy of self reports?Researchers have found that self-reported data are accurate when individuals understand the questions and when there is a strong sense of anonymity and little fear of reprisal.”
Which of the following is not a self serving tendency used to increase selfWhich of the following is not a self-serving tendency used to enhance self-esteem? People underestimate the probability of positive outcomes and overestimate the probability that they will experience negative outcomes.
Which of the following statements concerning self report measures is false?Which statement concerning self-report measures is false? They are not influenced by the phrasing of a question or the response options provided. Which of the following has been shown to increase the accuracy of self-reports? archival study.
What is the most popular method of testing ideas in social psychology?Experimentation – To be able to make causal or cause and effect statements, we must be able to isolate variables. We have to manipulate one variable and see the effect of doing so on another variable. Experimentation is the primary method social psychology uses to test its hypotheses.
|