Indirect Methods of Assessing Personality1

Abstract

This review suggests alternatives to testing in personality assessment. The methods which are described focus on nonverbal and verbal indices of transient and stable personality characteristics. The verbal indices cover the structure and content of what is spoken or written; the nonverbal indices include gross body movements, gestures, tone of voice, and style of writing. In addition to providing options to tests, these indirect measures make the study of hard‐to‐approach groups and the use of field settings more feasible.