There are many applications of personality assessments in life, specifically in the workplace. Personality assessments can provide details about how employees tend to view certain situations, how they may approach specific tasks, and their preference for communication style. There are various personality assessments in line with some of the theories you read.
Imagine you have been asked to determine a theoretical approach to assessing the personality of employees at your organization. You must create a presentation for your human resources department to (1) explain the theory you are recommending and (2) explain how it could be used.
Create a 10- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation. This includes 8–10 content slides, a title slide, and a reference slide. Each slide should have 50–100 words in the presenter's notes to explain the slide.
Pick a theory from this week’s readings (Allport, Eysenck, or Costa & McCrae).
What are the main concepts of this theory?
What makes it unique?
Is there an assessment related to the theory you would use?
How would this theory apply in the work situation?
What would it help your company learn or do?
Full Answer Section
Presenter's Notes (50-100 words): Good morning. Thank you for taking the time to discuss a strategic initiative that can significantly impact our organization's culture and productivity. In a dynamic work environment, understanding our employees on a deeper level is crucial. Personality assessments are powerful tools that can offer insights into how our team members might approach problems, collaborate with others, and handle stress. The purpose of this presentation is to propose a theoretical framework for assessing personality that is backed by extensive research and can be effectively applied to our specific workplace needs. The chosen approach will help us not only in hiring but also in leadership development and team building.
Slide 3: Our Recommended Theory: The Five-Factor Model (FFM)
Slide Content:
- The Five-Factor Model (FFM), or "Big Five," is the leading personality theory today.
- Developed by psychologists like Costa & McCrae.
- It proposes that personality can be described by five core traits.
- This model is globally recognized and highly reliable.
Presenter's Notes (50-100 words): The personality theory we are recommending is the Five-Factor Model, often called the "Big Five." Developed over decades of empirical research by theorists like Robert Costa and Paul McCrae, it has become the most widely accepted and scientifically validated framework for personality psychology. Unlike older, less-nuanced theories, the FFM is a trait-based approach that provides a comprehensive, yet concise, way to describe personality. It has been validated across different cultures and age groups, making it a robust tool for our diverse workforce. The model's strength lies in its ability to predict a wide range of behaviors and outcomes.
Slide 4: The Five Main Concepts of the FFM
Slide Content:
- Openness to Experience: Imaginative, creative, and willing to try new things.
- Conscientiousness: Organized, disciplined, and dependable.
- Extraversion: Outgoing, energetic, and sociable.
- Agreeableness: Cooperative, compassionate, and trustworthy.
- Neuroticism: Prone to emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness.
Presenter's Notes (50-100 words): The Five-Factor Model is defined by these five core traits, which are represented by the acronym OCEAN.
Openness to Experience measures a person's intellectual curiosity and willingness to explore new ideas.
Conscientiousness is a strong predictor of job performance, as it indicates a person’s level of organization and reliability.
Extraversion reflects how a person interacts with others and their level of social energy.
Agreeableness pertains to a person's tendency to be compassionate and cooperative. Finally,
Neuroticism (also referred to as Emotional Stability) measures an individual’s emotional reactivity and ability to handle stress. These five traits provide a complete picture of an individual's personality.