The present status of character measurement
Abstract
In 1921 many of the contributors to the symposium on "Intelligence and Its Measurement" in the stated that one of the next steps in research was the development of measurement of character. The present paper is an attempt at stock-taking three years later to determine progress. The present summary does not pretend to be exhaustive. As I have surveyed the literature eight different methods seem to emerge as having taken more definite form than the others, as having been subjected to more extensive scrutiny, and as having proved themselves "hopeful." These are 1) habit scales, 2) character scales, 3) self-assurance or overstatement tests, 4) a specific test of trustworthiness known as the "squares and circles" test, 5) a specific test of trustworthiness known as the paraffin completion test, 6) speed of decision tests, 7) the questionnaire, and 8) ethical judgment tests. I offer three points of criticism of the movement to date to measure character which I hope will be constructive, or at least will stimulate discussion. I also offer six possible lines of development.