Types of Psychological Tests

Psychological tests can reveal information about an individual's personality, psychopathology, view of self and others, learning disabilities, cognitive abilities and more. These tests provide helpful information that can be used in a variety of different settings including in schools, in therapy to formulate treatment plans, in legal settings and in the workplace.

MMPI-2

• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is an extensive test that reveals information about the client's personality and psychopathology. Clinical scales include such categories as perception of health, family and mental illness.

H-T-P

• House Tree Person (H-T-P) is a test in which the client is given a blank piece of paper and asked to draw a house, tree and person. A series of questions are asked after the drawings in order to reveal how the clients views self, others and the world.

IQ Tests

• IQ tests are given to students at a young age in order to find out their Intelligence Quotients as well as cognitive impairments. Schools may administer these to determine whether students require special education programs.

Beck Depression Inventory

• The Beck Depression Inventory is used in therapy settings to determine whether clients meet the requirements for a diagnosis of depression.

Myers-Briggs

• The Myers-Briggs is a test that reveals basic traits of an individual's personality. Clients are tested on their rate of introversion and extroversion, whether they are sensing or intuitive among others. This test is often used in the workplace in order to improve team member dynamics.

Hare Psychopathy Checklist

• Dr. Robert Hare developed the Hare Psychopathy Checklist as a diagnostic tool to determine whether someone meets the characteristics of a psychopath. Traits include disregard for the law, lack of conscience, lack of remorse and lack of empathy. This test is frequently used in prisons and psychiatric hospitals.