PSYASS - CHAP 6

Personality

The dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to the environment.

Personality

Unique constellation of psychological states and traits.

Trait

Relatively enduring

State

Relatively temporary, very situational

• Self-perception

• Strengths and weaknesses

• Interests

Why assess personality traits? (3)

• Values system

• Acculturation v. Identity

• Relation to group

• Individualistic v. Collectivistic

• Translation issue

Culturally relevant issues (5)

Logical approach

MAJOR APPROACHES OF VARIOUS PERSONALITY TESTS

• Content-related validation

• Insight into content

• Direct questioning

Theoretical approach

MAJOR APPROACHES OF VARIOUS PERSONALITY TESTS

• Based on theory

• Intended to assess personality type

Data reduction

MAJOR APPROACHES OF VARIOUS PERSONALITY TESTS

• Factor analysis

• Identify observed dimensions of personality

Criterion groups

MAJOR APPROACHES OF VARIOUS PERSONALITY TESTS

• Use of reference groups

• Compare criterion (trait) and control groups (non-trait)

Empirical criterion keying

MAJOR APPROACHES OF VARIOUS PERSONALITY TESTS

• Scoring key

• Divergent validity

• Items

• Woodworth Personal Data Sheet

• Mooney Problem Checklist

• Symptom Checklist 90-R

Examples of tests with Logical Approach (3)

• Face validity

• Self-report

• Statistical analyses

Limits of Logical Approach (3)

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

• Edwards Personality Preference Scale

• Self-Directed Search

• Ipsative samples

Examples of tests with Theoretical Approach (4)

• Ipsative scales are relative

• Interpretations appear arbitrary (seems random or by chance)

Limits of Theoretical Approach (3)

• 16 PF Personality Factors (Cattell)

• Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey

• NEO Personality Inventory-Revised

Examples of tests with Data Reduction (3)

• Subjective identification of factors

• Emphasis on grouping of variables

• Focus of common variance

Limits of Data Reduction (3)

• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2 MMPI - 2

Example of tests with Criterion Groups and Empirical Criterion Keying (1)

Objective methods

• Self-report short-answer item

• Structured scoring system

• Emphasize reliability and validity

• MMPI-A (Adolescent)

• State Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI

Examples of tests with Objective Method (2)

MMPI

• Originally intended for differential diagnosis

• Tentative hypothesis of psychopathology

MMPI2

• 1989 major restandardization

• 567 items - True, False, Cannot Say responses

• No repeated items 14% of items changed, 107 new items

MMPI2 Scales

• Multidimensional since scales overlap

• Six validity scales

• Ten Clinical Scales

• Supplementary Scales

MMPI 2 Psychometric properties

• Reliability

• Validity

  • Convergence

  • Discriminant

MMPI2 Limitations

• Self-report

• Impression management

• Response style

  • Social desirability: seen in a favorable light

• Faking good

• Faking bad

  • Malingering