Interpreting Assessment Patterns Flashcards

An employee's PI pattern shows a Self graph with low B (Extraversion) and high D (Formality). However, their Self-Concept graph shows a significantly higher B and a significantly lower D. What is the most likely interpretation of this discrepancy?

Answer: The employee feels pressure to be more socially engaging and flexible, which is contrary to their natural inclinations.

The Self pattern represents an individual's natural, core behavioral drives, while the Self-Concept reflects how they believe they are expected to behave in their role. [3, 4] A Self-Concept with higher Extraversion (B) and lower Formality (D) than the Self indicates the person perceives a need to adapt by being more outgoing and less rule-bound, which consumes energy because it goes against their more reserved and precise nature. [3]

A manager is reviewing a team member's assessment and notes a very low Factor E. This indicates the team member's decisions are likely to be highly:

Answer: Subjective, influenced by personal feelings and intuition.

Factor E measures where an individual falls on the spectrum of objectivity versus subjectivity in their decision-making. A low Factor E score indicates a more subjective approach, where decisions are guided by 'gut feelings,' personal experiences, and emotions rather than a strict adherence to data. [1, 10]

A project manager's PI pattern shows both a very high Factor A (Dominance) and a very high Factor D (Formality). When faced with an urgent crisis that requires a rapid decision that bends company rules, how is this individual most likely to behave?

Answer: They will experience internal conflict between the drive to take charge and the need to follow procedures, likely seeking an approved exception.

This pattern presents a conflict between two strong drives. The high A (Dominance) creates a need to take charge and act decisively. [6] The high D (Formality) creates a need for structure and adherence to rules to avoid mistakes. [1, 6] The most probable outcome is a feeling of tension and an attempt to reconcile these drives, such as finding a way to get rapid, formal approval or using an official 'emergency' protocol, rather than simply ignoring one drive for the other.

In the Predictive Index methodology, what is the primary purpose of the Synthesis pattern?

Answer: To provide a composite view of the most likely observable, day-to-day behaviors.

The Synthesis graph is a calculated average of the Self and Self-Concept patterns. [10, 11] Its purpose is to represent the blend of a person's natural behaviors and their adaptations to their environment, thus predicting the behaviors most likely to be observed by others in their current role. [4, 10]

When comparing two PI patterns, one is described as 'wide' (factors are far from the midpoint) and the other as 'narrow' or 'situational' (factors are close to the midpoint). For a role requiring significant behavioral flexibility and adaptability to changing demands, which pattern is generally more suitable?

Answer: The narrow pattern, as it suggests the individual can more easily adapt their behavior without strong needs pulling them in one direction.

A narrow pattern, where the factors are closer to the midpoint, is often called a 'situational' pattern. [13] It suggests that the person's behavioral drives are less intense and more balanced, allowing them to adapt more easily to various situations without feeling significant stress. A wide pattern indicates more specialized, less flexible behavioral needs. [13]

An analyst reviews their PI results and sees an extremely low M score (Response Level) on their Self-Concept graph. This is often an indicator that the analyst may be:

Answer: Feeling disengaged, confused about the role's demands, or experiencing low morale.

The M score, or Response Level, reflects the total number of adjectives selected. [4] On the Self-Concept, a very low M score can be a flag for low morale, burnout, or a significant lack of clarity about what the job requires. It suggests the person had difficulty endorsing adjectives describing the expectations of their role, which can stem from disengagement or confusion.