16 personality factor

16 personality factor

1. 1 16 PERSONALITY FACTOR QUESTIONNAIRE By Muhammad Musawar Ali MPHIL, ICAP

2. Definition Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole. 2

3. Cattell Definition of Personality Cattell defined personality as " That which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a given situation." Source Traits are the underlying basic factors of an individuals personalities (reserved versus outgoing). Cattell examined every possible (over 18,000) possible vocabulary words which indicated Surface Traits, i.e. some aspect of personality (optimistic attitude). 3

4. 16 Personality Factors The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) is a self-report  personality test developed over several decades of empirical research by Raymond B. Cattell, Maurice Tatsuoka and Herbert Eber to measure comprehensively normal range personality found to be effective in a variety of settings where an in-depth assessment of the whole person is needed. Cattell proposed a multi-level, hierarchical structure of personality: the second-order global measures describe personality at a broader, conceptual level, while the more precise primary factors reveal the fine details and nuances that make each person unique, and are more powerful in predicting actual behavior. 4

5. Development of 16PF Raymond Cattell’s personality research was based on his strong background in the physical sciences; born in 1905, he witnessed the first-hand awe-inspiring results of science, from electricity and telephones to automobiles, airplanes, and medicine. He wanted to apply these scientific methods to the uncharted domain of human personality with the goal of discovering the basic elements of personality (much as the basic elements of the physical world were discovered and organized into the periodic table). 5

6. He believed that human characteristics such as creativity, authoritarianism, altruism, or leadership skills could be predicted from these fundamental personality traits (much as water was a weighted combination of the elements of hydrogen and oxygen). Cattell believed the basic dimensions of personality could be discovered and then measured. 6

7. They studied these traits in diverse populations, using three different methodologies: observation of natural, in-situ life behavior or L-data (e.g. academic grades, number of traffic accidents, or social contacts ); questionnaire or Q-data from the self-report domain; objective behavior measured in standardized, experimental settings or T-data (e.g. number of original solutions to problem presented, responses to frustrations). Eventually, this research resulted in the 16 unitary traits of the 16PF Questionnaire 7

8. Cattell and his colleagues first discovered the primary traits, which provide the most basic definition of individual personality differences. These researchers factor-analyzed the primary traits themselves in order to investigate personality structure at a higher level. From this, the broader ‘second-order’ or global factors emerged – the original Big Five . Then the global factors were factor-analyzed into third-order traits at the highest, most abstract level of personality organization . 8

9. Purpose The 16PF questionnaire is a broad assessment of normal adult personality. The purpose of the measure is to provide a comprehensive snapshot of an individual’s personality profile, by reporting on 16 primary personality factor scales as well as five broader global scales. 9

10. Versions The 16 PF has 5 versions First edition in 1949 2 nd edition in 1956 3 rd edition in 1962 4 th edition in between 1967 and 1969 5 th edition in 1993 (updated in 2002 with new norming groups based on the 2000 US Census 10

11. Purpose of 5 th edition The goal of the fifth edition revision in 1993 was to update, improve, and simplify the language used in the test items; simplify the answer format; develop new validity scales; improve the psychometric properties of the test, including new reliability and validity data; and develop a new standardization sample (of 10,000 people) to reflect the current U.S. Census population. 11

12. The 16PF Fifth Edition contains 185 multiple-choice items which are written at a fifth-grade reading level . Of these items, 76% were from the four previous 16PF editions, although many of them were re-written to simplify or update the language. The item content typically sounds non-threatening and asks simple questions about daily behavior, interests, and opinions e. g. When I find myself in a boring situation, I usually "tune out" and daydream about other things. The 16PF 5th edition is intended for use with adults 16 years old and older. 12

13. Most studies have found the 16PF to be among the top five most commonly used normal-range instruments in both research and practice. The measure is also widely used internationally, and since its inception has been adapted into over 35 languages worldwide. 13

14. Primary Factors Factor A : Reserved-Warm Factor B : Concrete-Abstract Factor C : Emotionally Reactive-Stable Factor E : Deferential-Dominant Factor F : Liveliness- Serious Factor G : Nonconforming (Expedient)- Dutiful (Rule-consciousness) 14

15. Factor H : Shy-Socially Bold Factor I : Objective-Sensitive Factor L : Trusting-Vigilance Factor M : Workable Oriented (Grounded)-Idea Oriented (Abstracted) Factor N : Forthright- Private, Discreet (Tact ) 15

16. Factor O : Self-Assured-Apprehensive Factor Q1 : Attached to Familiar-Open to Change Factor Q2 : Group Oriented-Self Reliant Factor Q3 : Tolerates Disorder-Self Disciplined, Perfectionistic Factor Q4 : Relaxed-Tense 16

17. Global Factors Extraversion (EX) : Introverted-Extraverted (Socially participating ) Anxiety (AX) : Little Anxiety-High Anxiety Tough-Mindedness (TM) : Open-minded, Intuitive-Tough-Minded, Unempatetic Independence (IN) : Accommodating, Selfless-Independent, Willful Self-Control (SC) : Unrestrained, Self-Controlled, Inhibited 17

18. Description of Primary Scales Descriptors of lower range Primary scales Descriptors of high range Reserved, Impersonal, Distant Warmth (A) Warm-hearted, Caring, Attentive To Others Concrete, Lower Mental Capacity Reasoning (B) Abstract, Bright, Fast-Learner Reactive , Affected By Feelings Emotional Stability Emotionally Stable, Adaptive, Mature Deferential, Cooperative, Avoids Conflict Dominance (E) Dominant, Forceful, Assertive Serious, Restrained, Careful Liveliness (F) Enthusiastic, Animated, Spontaneous Expedient, Nonconforming Rule-Consciousness (G) Rule-Conscious, Dutiful 18

19. Shy, Threat-Sensitive Socially Boldness (H) Socially Bold, Venturesome, Thick-Skinned Tough, Objective, Unsentimental Sensitivity (I) Sensitive, Aesthetic, Tender-Minded Trusting, Unsuspecting, Accepting Vigilance (L) Vigilant, Suspicious, Wary Practical, Grounded, Down-To-Earth Abstractness (M) Abstracted, Imaginative, Idea-Oriented Forthright, Genuine Privateness (N) Private, Discreet, Non-Disclosing 19

20. Self-Assured, Unworried, Complacent Apprehension (O) Apprehensive, Self-Doubting, Worried Traditional, Attached To Familiar Openness to Change (Q1) Open To Change, Experimenting Group-Orientated, Affiliative Self-Reliance (Q2) Self-Reliant, Solitary, Individualistic Tolerates Disorder, Unexacting, Flexible Perfectionism (Q3) Perfectionistic, Organized, Self-Disciplined Relaxed, Placid, Patient Tension (Q4) Tense, High Energy, Driven 20

21. Description of Global Scales Descriptors of Low Range Global Scales Descriptors of High Range Introverted, Socially Inhibited Extraversion Extraverted, Socially Participating Low Anxiety Anxiety Neuroticism High Anxiety Receptive, Open-Minded, Tough-Mindedness Tough-Minded, Resolute, Unempathic Accommodating, Agreeable, Selfless Independence Independent, Persuasive, Willful Unrestrained, Follows Urges Self-Control Self-Controlled, Inhibits Urges 21

22. Interaction b/w Primary and Global Factors Primary Factor Global Factors Warm-Reserved (A) Extraversion/Introversion Lively-Serious (F) Bold-Shy (H) Private-Forthright (N) Self-Reliant vs Group Oriented (Q2) 22

23. Emotionally Reactive-Stable (C) High Anxiety/Low Anxiety Vigilant-Trusting (L) Apprehension vs Self-Assured (O) Tense-Relaxed (Q4) 23

24. Warm-Reserved (A) Though-Mindedness/Receptivity Sensitive-Unsentimental (I) Abstract-Practical (M) Open to Change-Traditional (Q1) 24

25. Warm-Reserved (A) Though-Mindedness/Receptivity Sensitive-Unsentimental (I) Abstract-Practical (M) Open to Change-Traditional (Q1) 25

26. Dominant-Deferential (E) Independence-Accommodation Bold-Shy (H) Vigilant-Trusting (L) Open to Change-Traditional (Q1) 26

27. Validity Scales The 16PF reports three validity scales which help to account for response bias. These scales are the Impression Management Scale (IM), a twelve item, bipolar scale that does not contribute to any of the primary personality scales. The IM scale evaluates social desirability, whether or not an examinee is willing to admit behaviors that aren’t socially desirable . The Acquiescence Scale (ACQ), which measures an examinee’s tendency to agree with whatever statement is presented by choosing true regardless of whether or not the statement was actually factual about the responder. 27

28. The Infrequency Scale (INF) is composed of 32 items which is used to measure the degree to which examinee responses are likely to be the result of random responding, A high score on the INF scale indicates that the examinee responded to a “relatively large number of items” differently than the majority of people. Such a score might indicate, inability to decide, or comprehension difficulty (random responding). 28

29. Psychometric Properties Reliability Moderate to good reliability rating have been reported for the 16PF. Internal consistency reliabilities are on average 0.76 for the primary scales (Based on a sample of 10,261 individuals), and a range of 0.68 to 0.87 for all 16 scales. The test-reliabilities over a 2 week period showed scores of 0.69-0.87 for all scales and a 2-month interval showed scores ranging from 0.56-0.79 . 29

30. Internal consistency in heterogeneous composites were applied, and average 0.87 over the five global scale. The five global scales of the 16PF Questionnaire show even higher test–retest reliabilities (they have more items); they average 0.87 for a two week interval (ranging from 0.84 to 0.91), and 0.78 for a two-month interval (ranging from 0.70 to 0.82). 30

31. Construct Validity with other measures of normal, adult personality (California Psychological Inventory, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the NEO-PI-R, the Personality Research Form, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, other measures of creativity, leadership, and social skills. These results consistently validate the meanings of the 16PF scales . Predictive Validity diverse areas as creativity, social skills and empathy, marital compatibility, leadership potential, over a hundred occupational profile, Employee selection, promotion, and development, Managers, executives, Social/helping occupations etc. 31

32. Administration The manual indicates that 16PF can be administered in 35-50 minutes when administered by hand 25 to 35 minutes when administered by computer. The 16PF can be administered Individually or in groups. Administration is also available via computer software and internet based services. 32

33. Who can Administer? By a variety of professionals who understand the limits of psychological testing and interpretation and possess a fundamental understanding of psychometrics. Those administering the 16PF should also be familiar with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing as presented by the American Psychological Association . Specific training exists for those who would like to become experts at using the 16PF, but is not required by the publisher before use of the instrument. 33

34. In order to purchase the instrument from IPAT, IPAT requires the competition of a user qualification form. In order to receive materials from IPAT, they ask that professionals provide the organization with credentials regarding licensure, education, training and experience, and/or affiliation that supports the professional’s stated ability to use materials for their intended purposes. 34

35. The authors of the manual recommend that the administrator stress to encourage the examinees to pick the response that initially seems most suited to them . The manual suggests it might be appropriate to remind examinees of this at least once during the administration process. The administrator should also be cautious in scoring and interpreting the score, paying particular attention to the reliability scales that could indicate reporter bias. In interpreting the score, the manual also notes that the BIR should not be given directly to the examinee without the aid of a professional to explain such results 35

36. Scoring The raw scores from these answers are converted to sten scores, a standardized measure which ranges from 1-10, with a mean of 5.5 and a standard deviation of 2 . Sten scores between 4 and 7 are considered to be average, with outliers on either side . The extreme scores in a profile, those that fall outside of the average range, usually indicate the most distinctive traits of the examinee. Numerous extreme scores indicate more distinctive expression of personality 36

37. Responses can be hand scored or computer scored by the publisher through mail in forms, software or internet-based services. Numerous resource books are available to aid interpretation . 16PF Interpretation in Clinical Practice (Karson, Karson, & O'Dell, 1997 ) The 16PF: Personality in Depth (Cattell, H.B., 1989 ) Essentials of the 16PF ( Cattell, H.E. & Schuerger , J.M, 2003) 37

38. Scores are reported on one of numerous available score reports, including the Basic Score Report, which covers the basic sixteen personality scores. More commonly used the Basic Interpretive Report (BIR), which, in addition to the basic sixteen personality scores, contains a profile of each global factor and the related primary factors, arranged from most extreme to average. Brief interpretive statements are provided for each of the global factors on which the examinee scores outside the average range; for average scores, scores are reported, but no narrative information is given. 38

39. Gender related Norms The updated fifth edition also reports sex specific norms for three of the sixteen basic personality factors. On the factors “Warmth,” “Sensitivity” and “Apprehension,” it was found that males tended to report differently than females, which was not the case with the other factors . The gender-specific and combined gender norms are available as scoring options for these three factors. 39

40. Uses It can be used in variety of settings: It can be used as a starting point in therapy , to give a counselor an overall view of a client’s personality profile and serve as a guide to an individualize counseling plan. The 16PF provides a measure of behavioral trends including anxiety and adjustment, which can facilitate diagnostic and treatment strategies . to evaluate management potential, facilitate leadership development and executive coaching, supplement individual and couple’s counseling, and inform career and vocational counseling. 40

41. Help identify students with potential academic, emotional, and social problems . Help identify personality factors that may predict marital compatibility and satisfaction. Results also highlight existing or potential problem areas . Provide vocational guidance to identify occupations for which the individual is best suited . 41

42. Other Scales 16 PF Questionnaire Online (Five point rating) Cattell’s Personality Factors Questionnaire 42

43. Limitations It is inappropriate for use in assessing abnormal personality. The 16PF is useful in predicting specific behavioral areas such as social skills, but does not address motivation behind behaviors. The manual itself costs $55 when purchased from the publisher . These starter kits range in price from about $100 to $150. Testing booklets are available in packs of ten for $23. Answer sheets are available in packs of 25 for $ 20-$22, depending on the quantity ordered. 43

44. Mail in score reports (BIRs) cost from $20-$50 each , depending on the quantity submitted and the type of score report desired. Using a basic starter kit, administration would be between $50 and $75 per administration. Administration is also available via computer software and internet based services. For the BIR report, the computer administration costs approximately $25 per administration. 44

45. Cultural related Issues The 16PF fifth edition makes an effort to include aspects of identity such as race and ethnicity in the norming group. The publisher also notes that the questions contained in the fifth edition were designed to be non-invasive, meeting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s requirements, as related to the Civil Rights act (1990) and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The aim of this design was to ensure that test result differences among different ethic, gender, and age groups were minimized (IPAT). 45

46. Several elements of the 16PF consider multicultural issues. The Rule-Consciousness factor measures the extent to which cultural standards of right and wrong are internalized and used to govern behavior. Scoring high in this section does not necessarily account for the cultural values of the client’s culture, but the values endorsed by the majority of western culture. This measurement severely limits the interpretation of scores for individuals from minority cultures . 46

47. The 16PF is designed to be easy to read and understand, with an overall readability at the fifth grade level. However, this makes the test less accessible to those for whom English is a second language . In addition, the manual notes that because of the verbal nature of the reasoning scale , individuals who speak little English could be expected to obtain a lower than accurate score . The 16PF manual also notes that the Vigilant factor does not account for life circumstances that may impact the adoption of a vigilant stance, often associated with members of oppressed minority groups 47