ZULLIGER TEST IN PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR CARRYING A FIREARM

Abstract

Psychological assessment is a broad and complex activity that involves both the research and construction of psychological instruments and techniques, and the process of data collection in order to obtain information about an individual, a group, or specific situations, and assisting in decision making processes in various psychological assessment scenarios. Among the instruments used in psychological assessment processes is the Zulliger Test (Z test), which arose from the need to perform brief personality assessments in contexts where several individuals were involved, proving to be a rich and easy-to-use test that can be used in different contexts. Thus, in scenarios such as the evaluation for carrying a firearm, the Z test is one of the most used instruments because of its speed, economy, and description of the personality characteristics of the candidates. Currently the Normative Instruction (IN) of the Federal Police Department (DPF) No. 78/2014 brings indicators that must be evaluated and are divided into two categories: necessary and restrictive. The Z test has in its analysis several of the indicators listed in IN DPF no. 78/2014 such as adaptation, self-control, emotional control, social adaptation, empathy, interpersonal relationships, depression, as well as those related to mental disorders. However, even though there is this "pre-defined" profile and it is the reference used today for decision-making by psychologists throughout Brazil, this outlined profile needs more scientific basis.