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CHAPTER 5

‘SD’ Self-Description Test or
Self-Appraisal Test

Self-description (SD)
At the end of the psychological tests the psychologist intends to find out “how much do you know
about yourself ?.” So, in this test you are going to describe yourself, quoting the opinion of various
people around you.

Lesson 1
Self-Description and Self-Concept

Every individual has an opinion of his ownself. Self-concept, like the individual, ‘grows’ up. Self-
concept is the ‘well processed’ and well-assimilated opinion of oneself drawn from the sum total of
opinions of people around from the earliest childhood stage. During the early stages of life self-concept
may not be ‘objective’. Maturity brings objectivity to the self-concept. It contains opinions about the
strengths and weakness of one’s personality.
Parents’, teachers’ and friends’ opinions are the strongest sources of self-concept. We frequently
receive applauds, admonitions and corrective feedbacks of our actions from these people. Besides, as
we mature, we are able to assess our own qualities. The final self-concept is the compound of all the
inputs received at different stages and own assessment.
Self-Concept and Improvement/Trainability
A raw civilian is to be trained to become a military-man. Training is a stage of transformation. The
induced changes are sudden, intense and demanding. Many aspects of civilian life are unfavourable
from the military angle. A raw trainee is to unlearn many habits or values that are the characteristics and
the identifications of civil life. A realistic and objective self-concept helps a person establish quick and
effective adjustment with his environment. It is possible only if you know yourself in unambiguous
terms.
Administration of Self-Description
In self-description candidates are asked to describe their good and bad points in the opinion of their
parents, teachers/immediate superiors (in case they are employed anywhere), friends, and their own.
This is a descriptive type of test for which 15 to 20 minutes of time and full space is provided.

Lesson 2
Instructions for the Test and How to do Well in SD
— The purpose of this test is to find out how much you know about yourself.
— In this test you are going to describe your good and bad points in the opinion of your parents,
teachers or your immediate superiors if you are employed anywhere, your friends and your own.