No measurement strategy yields unbiased truth about individuals’ standing on trait dimensions

Evidence

And then there is the issue of how we are to accurately measure where the sampled individuals truly are located on the attribute dimension. How do we measure someone’s true standing on trait dimensions such as “intelligent,” “friendly,” or “unmotivated.” Do we use their own self-report? Do we interview their friends and neighbors? Do we ask experts to observe them and judge them? Do we give them tests or personality inventories? Although in different situations all of these might be reasonable choices, they also all undoubtedly have associated biases (see Allport, 1954/1979, pp. 89–94). The bottom line is that there is no perfect way to know where individuals (and groups) actually stand on relevant attribute dimensions. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 868

Categorization

• QUESTION: Undermines strong claims of stereotype accuracy/inaccuracy — grounds truth is itself unmeasurable, which bears on the whole accuracy debate.
• XREF: Echoes Allport’s own discussion (pp. 89-94 cited) and bears on whether the vault’s accuracy claims are even well-formed.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 868