Reliability and Technical Meaning of Personality Questionnaire Scales.

Comments on the article Comments on The Brain Watchers, written by K.S. Nickerson, that remarks on the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (see record 2005-11489-001.) The author of this comment mentions several objections to the article written by Nickerson. First, since Nickeron's main theme is the recent attacks by laymen on psychological testing--such as those of Gross (1962), Hoffman (1962), and the popular weekly Life--his mentioning the 16 PF would naturally suggest to a reader that it was one of the tests under attack. The 16 PF, as far as anyone can ascertain, was not among the several tests pilloried by these gentlemen and Life. More seriously, when Nickeson flings the term "impossible" at a 16 PF item, he is simply pontificating, not responsibly bringing evidence as would be expected in a scientific journal. When, by the equally unconsidered term "esoteric," Nickerson objects to technical terms in psychology for precise research concepts, he is, again, scarcely on the side of progress. The author of this comment concludes a psychologist may actually be showing more psychometric wisdom in using, in many testing situations, the 16 PF Form C alone, contrary to Nickerson's dismissal of a six-item scale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of a brief form of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 14(3) of Psychological Assessment (see record 2007-17094-001). On page 154, in Table 1, the MPQ-BF column for the "Has a happy disposition" item (second row) under the Wellbeing scale incorrectly reads "26, 97, 31, 104." The correct numbers are 26, 97, 32, 104.] The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; A. Tellegen, 1982, in press) provides for a comprehensive analysis of personality at both the lower order trait and broader structural levels. Its higher order dimensions of Positive Emotionality, Negative Emotionality, and Constraint embody affect and temperament constructs, which have been conceptualized in psychobiological terms. The MPQ thus holds considerable potential as a structural framework for investigating personality across varying levels of analysis, and this potential would be enhanced by the availability of an abbreviated version. This article describes efforts to develop and validate a brief (155-item) form, the MPQ-BF. Success was evidenced by uniformly high correlations between the brief- and full-form trait scales and consistency of higher order structures. The MPQ-BF is recommended as a tool for investigating the genetic, neurobiological, and psychological substrates of personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Joint factor structure of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire and the MMPI in a psychiatric and high-risk sample.

Assessed aspects of the construct validity of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ), a measure of normal personality characteristics, in a clinically relevant sample through joint factor analyses of primary and second-order scales of the MPQ and the MMPI. A subsample from the Washington University Twin Study of Psychopathology was analyzed. The MPQ's primary scales and higher order factors were found to have meaningful associations with MMPI scales that served as construct markers. The MPQ taps constructs related to, although not redundant with, those measured by the MMPI. Additionally, the MPQ provides a Constraint measure that is relevant to the study of psychopathy and not represented among the MMPI clinical scales. The potential utility of the MPQ in clinical settings as an adjunct to traditional assessment instruments such as the MMPI is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire profiles of veterans with traumatic combat exposure: Externalizing and internalizing subtypes.

This study used the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; A. Tellegen, in press) to identify personality-based subtypes of posttraumatic response. Cluster analyses of MPQs completed by combat veterans revealed subgroups that differed on measures relating to the externalization versus internalization of distress. The MPQ profile of the externalizing cluster was defined by low Constraint and Harmavoidance coupled with high Alienation and Aggression. Individuals in this cluster also had histories of delinquency and high rates of substance-related disorder. In comparison, the MPQ profile of the internalizing cluster was characterized by lower Positive Emotionality, Alienation, and Aggression and higher Constraint, and individuals in this cluster showed high rates of depressive disorder. These findings suggest that dispositions toward externalizing versus internalizing psychopathology may account for heterogeneity in the expression of posttraumatic responses, including patterns of comorbidity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences on negative affectivity: an IRT study of differential item functioning on the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire Stress Reaction Scale

Item response theory methods were used to study differential item functioning (DIF) between gender groups on a measure of stress reaction. Results revealed that women were more likely to endorse items describing emotional vulnerability and sensitivity, whereas men were more likely to endorse items describing tension, irritability, and being easily upset. Item factor analysis yielded 5 correlated factors, and the DIF analysis, in turn, revealed differential gender mean differences on these factors. This finding illustrates how even in an essentially unidimensional scale, comparison of group mean differences can be affected by multidimensionality caused by item clusters that share similar content. Results do not support arguments that measures of negative affective dispositions "artificially" produce gender mean differences by focusing on specific selected content areas.     

Relationships among the Edwards Personality Inventory Scales, the Edwards Personality Preference Schedule, and the Personality Research Form Scales.

Performed a principal-component analysis of the scales in the Edwards Personality Inventory (EPI), the Personality Research Form (PRF) AA, the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS), and Edwards' Social Desirability scale, Welsh's R scale, and the Marlow-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. The analysis produced 18 factors, on all but 2 of which there were at least 2 scales with relatively high loadings. Fairly large correlations were found between the PRF and EPI scales, and somewhat lower correlations were found between the EPPS and the EPI scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multidimensional structure of the Hypomanic Personality Scale.

The structure of the Hypomanic Personality Scale was explored in a sample of young adults (N = 884); resulting structures were validated on subsamples with measures of personality traits, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing behaviors. Hierarchical cluster analysis and estimates of general factor saturation suggested the presence of a weak general factor, as well as 3 subordinate clusters. The 3-cluster subscales (Social Vitality, Mood Volatility, and Excitement) were moderately correlated but conceptually distinct and were correlated in opposing patterns with a range of personality and psychopathology measures. Results show that cluster subscales suppress total score associations with validity measures. Recommendations are made to analyze Hypomanic Personality Scale data by subscale, and theoretical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Phenotypic, genetic, and nonshared environmental parallels in the structure of personality: A view from the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire.

How closely do observed, phenotypic personality structures correspond with underlying, genetic, and environmental personality structures? This question was addressed using data from 2,490 pairs of twins from the Minnesota Twin Registry, who completed A. Tellegen's (1982) Multidimensional Personality Questionairre (MPQ). Phenotypic, additive genetic, and nonshared environmental correlations were computed among the MPQ's eleven primary scales. Principal component analyses of all three matrices revealed three broad, higher-order components that were readily interpreted as negative emotionality, positive emotionality, and constraint. The components from all three matrices were highly comparable, suggesting, that the observed, phenotypic structure of personality corresponds closely with the underlying, etiological structure of personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Regression, heritability, and race differences in IQ.

Suggests that there are 2 distinct sources (mean differences and regression coefficient differences) to be considered when interpreting between-race real regression differences in IQ. Although race differences in mean IQ producing differential regression effects alone are not evidence of clear genetic or environmental factors, between-race differences in real absolute regression associated with differential regression coefficients are potentially suggestive of such interpretations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in influenceability.

Examines the hypothesis that women are more influenceable than men in a variety of situations. For persuasion research and for conformity studies not involving group pressure, there is scant empirical support for a sex difference, and for group pressure conformity research, there is support among a substantial minority of studies. Also explored is the possibility that various sex differences in social influence studies are a product of contextual features of experimental settings. This is suggested by the fact that findings reporting greater influenceability among females were more prevalent in studies published prior to 1970 than in those published in the 1970s. Finally, sex differences in various psychological processes that may mediate persuasion and conformity are evaluated as possible explanations for those influenceability sex differences that appear to be genuine. It is suggested that a propensity to yield inherent in the female sex role appears to account for some aspects of influenceability findings, but a 2nd explanation, a tendency for women more than men to be oriented to interpersonal goals in group settings, is also plausible. (7? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Altruism and aggression: The heritability of individual differences.

Administered 5 questionnaires measuring altruistic and aggressive tendencies to 573 adult twin pairs (mean age about 30 yrs) of both sexes from the University of London Institute of Psychiatry Volunteer Twin Register. Ss included 206 monozygotic (MZ) female, 90 MZ male, 133 dizygotic (DZ) female, 46 DZ male, and 98 DZ opposite-sex pairs. The questionnaires measured altruism, empathy, nurturance, aggressiveness, and assertiveness. The intraclass correlations for the 5 scales, respectively, were .53, .54, .49, .40, and .52 for the 296 MZ pairs, and .25, .20, .14, .04, and .20 for the 179 same-sex DZ pairs, resulting in broad heritability estimates of 56, 68, 70, 72, and 64%. Additional analyses, using maximum-likelihood model-fitting, revealed approximately 50% of the variance on each scale to be associated with genetic effects, virtually 0% with the twins' common environment, and the remaining 50% with each twins' specific environment and/or error associated with the test. Correcting for the unreliability in the tests raised the maximum-likelihood heritabilities to approximately 60%. Age and sex differences were also found: Altruism increased over the age span from 19 to 60 yrs, whereas aggressiveness decreased; at each age, women had higher scores than men on altruism and lower scores on aggressiveness. (47 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality correlates of the Mosher Guilt Scales

Examined the relationship between sex guilt, hostility guilt, and morality-conscience guilt, and more traditional concepts in personality, to extend the construct validational work of the Mosher Guilt Scales. This was achieved by correlating the scores of the three guilt subscales with the 15 manifest needs of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. The results indicate that while there was some overlap between the guilt scores and the manifest needs, the association was usually a function of theoretically consistent relationships rather than duality of constructs. These findings, and the literature review of the Mosher Guilt Scales, are interpreted as supporting the continued use of the three guilt subscales as well as suggesting that guilt is a personality variable of considerable theoretical significance.     

Sex differences in health and illness.

The literature on sex differences in illness and disease was examined. Although some biologic sex differences are thought to exist, the overlap between the sexes precluded separation of the sexes for treatment or control of problem conditions. Statistics Canada data on mental illness among males and females in Canada were also examined, and deficiencies in available information were discussed. Most notably lacking were statistics on the use of outpatient mental health services. A number of recommendations were made regarding the collection of Canadian mental health statistics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in the allocation of pay.

Examined the possibility that relative to males, females perceive less of a connection between their work and monetary rewards. In Study 1, 66 females and 60 males (respondents to an advertisement in a student newspaper) determined either their own pay or the pay of another person. Results support the hypothesis in that females paid themselves less than did males and less than other people (males or females) paid females. Results also suggest that Ss were more generous when they paid females. In Study 2, sex differences in self-pay were examined in 80 1st-, 4th-, 7th-, and 10th-grade Ss. Results replicate those of Study 1, in that at every grade level, females paid themselves less than did males. In addition, the extent to which females allocated pay the way their male counterparts did was highly related to the masculinity of their career goals. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in monitoring performance.

220 male and 220 female undergraduates monitored a visual display for 1 hr. Although the results indicate females were poorer monitors, detecting 10% fewer signals and committing more false alarms, these sex differences accounted for only 4% of the variance of detection performance and less than 1% of the variance of the false alarm measure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences and adolescent depression.

This study investigates the role of certain psychosocial variables—sex, age, body image/self-esteem, self-consciousness, stressful life events, and the degree to which an individual identifies with the cultural stereotype of masculinity—as correlates and antecedents to depression in adolescents and explores possible intraindividual mediators of the stress–depression relationship in adolescents. A battery of self-report measures was administered to public high school students in Grades 9–12 in their classrooms at two different times 1 month apart. Female adolescents reported more depressive symptoms, self-consciousness, stressful recent events, feminine attributes, and negative body image and self-esteem; no age effects were obtained. Results suggest a model of adolescent depression in which body image/self-esteem and stressful recent events are significant contributors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in job satisfaction.

Measures of 5 separate aspects of job satisfaction gathered from 295 male workers and 163 female workers drawn from 4 different plants were analyzed with respect to the mean job satisfaction for the male and female workers. T2 analyses indicated that in 3 plants the female workers were significantly less satisfied than their male counterparts (p     

Sex differences in problem solving.

Used a 20-item set of problems (similar to those used by E. Sweeney [1953]) in 9 experiments with 558 male and 578 female undergraduates to determine which sex was superior in problem solving, the role of previous experience, whether sex differences extended throughout the domain of problem-solving tasks, whether they extended to other word problems, the role of spatial ability and verbal ability, the role of mathematics aptitude, and the relative importance of aptitude and social learning variables. Results show that the male advantage, averaging 35% across experiments, persisted at the same level as in experiments conducted in the 1950's. Sex differences extended to other word problems. The male advantage was related to similar advantages in spatial and mathematical ability. Aptitude variables dominated attitude and mathematics experience variables in accounting for the sex difference. (48 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in altruistic behavior.

Assessed helping and donation behavior in 35 female and 35 male White middle-class 5th graders. Results reveal (a) no significant differences between male and female donation behavior, (b) significantly more helping behavior from females, and (c) no significant correlations between donation and helping behavior. Since helping behavior was only observed in situations with same-sexed younger children, future investigations should include both opposite- and same-sexed pairs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex and ethnic differences in the use of power.

Hypothesized that women and Chicanos would make less internal and more external attributions for their own successful performance than would Anglo males. 40 Chicano male, 40 Chicano female, 40 Anglo male, and 40 Anglo female undergraduates participated as managers in an industrial simulation study. Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental conditions: designated powers vs unspecified powers, and supervision of male or female workers. Following the managerial task, Ss completed a questionnaire assessing their own performance and that of their workers. All Anglos devalued their workers as a function of controlling power and attributed workers' performance to external factors. All Ss tended to use their power to persuade workers. Males attempted to influence workers to a greater degree than did females. The predicted sex differences in terms of attribution were evident only among Anglos. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)