Definition of ipsative in English English dictionary
comparing a measure of an individual against that individuals previous assessments
denoting a measure that forces an individual to choose among multiple desirable options
Myers-Briggs uses ipsative measures, whereas the Five-Factor Model uses normative measures.
Ipsative literally means "of the self" (Latin derivation), and is used in psychology as in the phrase "ipsative measure" to indicate a specific type of measure in which respondents compare two or more desirable options and pick the one which is most preferred (sometimes called a "forced choice" scale). This is contrasted with measures that use Likert-type scales, in which respondents choose the score (e.g. 1 to 5) which best represents the degree to which they agree with a given statement