Post by lindsb on Oct 11, 2017 22:38:37 GMT
Self reports may be reliable, as in the person will answer the same over and over; however the answers provided may not be valid. A person may intentionally withhold information about themselves because they don’t want to be judged or may answer in a way to make themselves look ‘better’. People also view themselves much different than the outside world. Individual’s internal feelings and thoughts about themselves may force them to think of themselves in a ‘higher sense’ but also possibly in a lower one. Many factors can influence the way we see ourselves, and they may not always co-align with how the general population views us. Reports collected from friends and family may fail to be both valid and reliable based on the current relationship between the two people. A family member or friend may answer questions in one way or another to fit the personal feelings they have towards the other person at the time. These reports are also only collecting information on how the individual acts in front of these people and actions can drastically change based on an individual’s audience and whether or not an audience is present. Observations assessed by a trained observer would be the most valid method. This is because a person’s actions are ultimately the best indicator of character an outside observer has access to. A person’s actions however are again largely subject to their audience, which may or may not cause them to act in a different way to appear as a better person (usually) with respect to cultural meaning systems and norms.