Test-taker and close-other selection of personality inventory feedback

Results from previous studies suggest that normal persons self-enhance both when rating their own personality traits, and when evaluating personality inventory feedback. In this study, 64 male and female undergraduates attempted to distinguish their own California Psychological Inventory (Gough, 1975) profiles from those of two other individuals. Sixty-four close friends and relatives ("close others") of test-takers also attempted to identify test-taker profiles. It was found that a significant proportion of test-takers, and a near-significant proportion of close others, made accurate selections, Z = 3.76, p < .001 and Z = 1.90, p = .06, respectively. It was also found that close others who selected incorrectly were significantly likely to flatter the test-taker by choosing the most favorable profile of the three, Z = 1.97, p < .05, whereas test-takers who selected incorrectly did not show a significant tendency to choose the most favorable profile.