Critically evaluate the statement that it is inappropriate for psychologists to use standard personality tests to interpret and understand the Behaviour of Indigenous people such as Aboriginal Australians.
Indigenous people such as Aboriginal Australians are a different culture and diverse population and compared to that of non-indigenous Australians (Altman, 2009). For these reasons, understanding and interpreting the behaviour of our Aboriginal Australians would be a benefit not only to non-indigenous Australians, but also indigenous people so both cultures can develop more cultural awareness and competence with one another (Ranzijn, McConnochie, Day, Nolan, Wharton, 2008). This is where it may be appropriate for psychologists to use standard personality tests for the purpose of understanding their behaviour. How appropriate a test is, is determined by the reliability and validity in measuring the intended variable (Hill, Pace, Robins, 2010). Within using any type of personality test, there is a cultural and gender component in assessing behaviour (Stansfield, Smith, 1949).
Scientology - "Free personality testing" sign. How...
English: David Gulpilil
Aboriginal dancers wearing a more modern version o...This cultural component varies from one culture to the next, depending on the factors such as complexity, tightness, and individualism and collectivism in culture. The component of gender affects behaviour in such a way that each gender has appropriate and expected behaviours of them, within a culture. However, there is potential for conflicts to occur with such tests, such as cross-cultural misunderstandings, and miscommunication. An example of this is common gestures can bring different meanings across different cultures. This essay will further evaluate the use of standard personality tests (using the interview method to illustrate) as a form of reaching an understanding of how indigenous people such as Aboriginal Australians, behave.
A standard personality test can be useful in interpretation and understanding of behaviour, which is determined by the reliability and validity (Reddock, Biderman, Nguyen, 2011). There are various methods for assessing the personality...