Which term describes a non-objective manner of assessing personality by gauging responses that reflect social norms?

The term that best describes a non-objective manner of assessing personality by gauging responses that reflect social norms is social desirability. This concept refers to the tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others. This can lead to biased responses, as individuals may over-report socially acceptable behaviors or under-report behaviors that are deemed socially undesirable.

In contrast to social desirability, behavioral assessment focuses more on observing and recording an individual's specific behaviors in various contexts, which does not inherently rely on social norms to inform the evaluation. Objective measurement typically refers to standardized testing that aims to eliminate bias and subjectivity, relying on quantifiable data rather than personal perceptions. Self-reporting is a method where individuals provide subjective accounts of their own behaviors or thoughts but does not specifically address the influence of social norms on response patterns as social desirability does.

Understanding the impact of social desirability is crucial in psychological assessments as it can affect the validity of personality measures and lead to misinterpretation of an individual’s true character or behavioral tendencies.