Description

The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey (GZTS) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the dimensions of personality and temperament in adults. It was developed by J. P. Guilford and W. S. Zimmerman in the 1940s and remains one of the most widely used instruments for the evaluation of temperament and personality. The GZTS focuses on ten core dimensions of personality.

Purpose

The main purpose of the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey is to provide a detailed and reliable assessment of personality traits. It is widely used in psychological research, clinical diagnosis, professional development, and personnel selection. It helps in understanding individual differences in personality and predicting behavior in various situations.

Analysis

The GZTS includes 300 statements that assess the ten core dimensions of personality:
General Activity: The tendency for a high level of activity and energy.
Restraint: The tendency toward self-control in social interactions.
Emotional Stability: The ability to manage stress and emotional reactions.
Objectivity: The tendency toward objective and logical thinking.
Personal Relations: The ability to create and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
Friendliness: The tendency toward sensitivity and supportive behavior toward others.
Thoughtfulness: The tendency toward analytical and careful thinking.
Masculinity: The tendency toward self-confidence and leadership abilities.
Ascendance: The tendency toward social initiative and influence.
Sociability: The tendency toward positive emotional response and adaptability.
Participants are asked to respond to each statement with “True” or “False”, depending on how much they agree or disagree with it.

Scoring

The total score for each dimension is calculated by summing the responses that indicate the presence of the specific trait. Higher scores reflect a greater presence of that personality characteristic. The scores can be used to create an individual personality profile.

References

Guilford, J. P., & Zimmerman, W. S. (1949). The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey. Beverly Hills, CA: Sheridan Supply Co.
Guilford, J. P. (1975). Personality. McGraw-Hill.
Guilford, J. P., & Zimmerman, W. S. (1956). Temperament Survey Handbook. Beverly Hills, CA: Sheridan Psychological Services.
Eysenck, H. J., & Eysenck, S. B. G. (1975). Manual of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Junior and Adult). Hodder & Stoughton.
McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (2004). A contemplated revision of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(3), 587–596.