Objective personality tests

Question 1

Personality def

Answer 1

A person’s unique and usual pattern of behavior, feelings and thoughts

Question 2

Content of personality: (3)

Answer 2

Behavior, Affect, Cognition

Question 3

Personality Traits def

Answer 3

Relatively enduring dispositions to act, think, or feel in a certain manner in any given circumstance and that distinguish one person from another.

Question 4

Multivariate historical tradition of personality

Answer 4

To understand personality of individuals, you have to consider all personality traits as one. (A person cannot be described with only one trait)
=> NEO-PR, as other personality tests, follows from multivariate approach

Question 5

Structure of traits

Answer 5

Identification of significant dimensions (attributes) along which individuals vary from one another
-> Characterize the covariation among these personality attributes among individuals

Question 6

Lexical tradition of personality

Answer 6

Most important traits represented by single words. Origin of NEO-PR relies on lexical tradition.

Question 7

Lexical hypothesis

Answer 7

If an idea is important for pple, they’ll have a word that will express this concept.
-> The more important the concept, the more word exist for this concept

Question 8

How do we prove lexical hypothesis?

Answer 8

Factor analysis used to synthesize dictionary information.
Goal = Identify the smallest number of factors or groups of adjectives that represent the widest variety of adjectives in the language

Question 9

Are Big Five Distinct Categories or a Continuum?

Answer 9

Continuum.
-> Labels are used categorically; the leave behind important information
-> Labels apply more strongly to those at the extreme ends

Question 10

NEO: Construction (history)

Answer 10

• 1978: Included only 3 factors - N, E, O (no scales for A and C) and 18 facets
• 1985: A and C added: First NEO-PR
• 1992 manual: Facet scales available for all factors + Included the short version (NEO-FFI) + Rational Scale Construction (supported by factor analysis)

Question 11

NEO-PI-R - Psychometric properties: Reliability -Internal consistency

Answer 11

Traits: .86-.92
Facets: .56-.81 -> Cuz fewer items to measure each of the facets (normal range)

Question 12

NEO-PI-R - Psychometric properties: Test-retest reliability

Answer 12

High but bit weaker as time interval extends.
- 3 month → .75-.83
- 6-year N,E,O → .68-.83
- 3-year A,C → .63 & .79

Question 13

NEO-PI-R - Psychometric properties: Convergent Validity

Answer 13

Self-spouse agreement (2 forms of NEO-PR: Self and Other rated)
N,E,O,A,C → .60, .73, .65, .62, .63: Moderate to large convergent validity

Question 14

NEO-PI-R - Psychometric properties: Discriminant Validity

Answer 14

Sometimes scales are NOT independent (C & A)!

Question 15

Latest version of the test? Date & characteristics

Answer 15

NEO-PI-3. Published in 2005.
- 240 items, description of behaviors rated on 5-point scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
- Age range: **14-99 **(norms for adolescents)

Question 16

In NEO-PI, raw scores converted to ______

Answer 16

T-scores (M=50, SD=10)

Question 17

Application of NEO-PI (2)

Answer 17

(1) Mostly research on basic personality
(2) Limited usefulness in clinical or other applied settings

Question 18

NEO-PI issues (2)

Answer 18

(1) Aquiescence: Tentency to agree with statements
-> Half reverse keyed items
(2) Social desirability: Tendency to portray self in a socially desirable way - Construct validity problem

Question 19

What’s NEO-PI’s recommendation to combat acquiescence bias?

Answer 19

If more than 150 items are ‘agree or strongly agee’ profile must be interpreted with caution.

Question 20

NEO-PI-R Interpretation

Answer 20

Test of NORMAL personality, not psychopathology. BUT Research on how combination of scores → psychopathology
- E.g. Paranoid can be identified by very HIGH neuroticism, LOW extraversion, LOW openness, LOW agreeableness

Question 21

MMPI: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory def

Answer 21

Self-report measure to aid in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders.
=> The most used and thoroughly researched personality test since 1960s
=> Consistent with then common psychiatric perspectives on abnormal personality characteristics

Question 22

MMPI first published in ____. Current version = ___

Answer 22

Early 1940s; MMPI-3 (2020)

Question 23

MMPI: How were the Original Clinical scales made? characteristics & approach (3)

Answer 23

• Empirical approach.
• Final item pool = 550 sample items
• Response scale: True or False or Cannot say
• Primary normative sample = 724 Minnesota “normals”

Question 24

General steps in Development of most clinical scales

Answer 24

Empirical approach
Choose 2 groups.
- Administer item pool to large group: psychiatric & normative
- Select a diagnostic group
- Compare endorsement for each item of selected group to normative group

Question 25

MMPI: “Neurotic” Triad

Answer 25

• Scale 1: Hypochondriasis (Numerous physical symptoms)
• Scale 2: Depression (Sadness, loss of energy, severe depression)
• Scale 3: Hysteria (Physical symptoms in response to stress)

Question 26

MMPI: “Psychotic” Tetrad

Answer 26

• Scale 6: Paranoia (Resentful and suspicious of others, delusions of persecution)
• Scale 7: Psychasthenia (Rumination, Obsessive-Compulsive)
• Scale 8: Schizophrenia (Withdrawn, reclusive, bizarre thinking)
• Scale 9: Hypomania (Impulsive, distractible, emotional excitement)

Question 27

Scales: MMPI (10)

Answer 27

Scale 0: Social introversion
Scale 1: Hypochondriasis
Scale 2: Depression
Scale 3: Hysteria
Scale 4: Psychopathic Deviate
Scale 5: Masculinity-Femininity
Scale 6: Paranoia
Scale 7: Psychasthenia
Scale 8: Schizophrenia
Scale 9: Hypomania

Question 28

Validity scales in MMPI (6)

Answer 28

(1) L(Lie) Scale: Endorse too few items which express common frailties - SOCIAL DESIRABILITY BIAS (denying common human weaknesses)
(2) F Scale (Infrequency scale): Endorse items which few people endorse
(3) K Scale (Defensiveness Scale): Denial of more subtle, personal, or psychological difficulties that may be less obvious but still significant.
-> More about defensiveness—the person may be hiding or minimizing psychological problems or discomfort.
-> defensively hiding emotional or personal struggles.
(4) new-FB (Frequent back): infrequent responding in 2nd half of the test
(5) new-VRIN: Assesses random responding (if they don’t answer in similar way to similar questions, random responding)
(6) new-TRIN: Acquiescence bias (pairs of items with opposite content => should have different responses)

Question 29

Interpretation MMPI scores before vs after

Answer 29

• Before: 70+ = may have clinical significance; Today: 65
• Before: look at any elevation in any of the scale (1 most elevated scale); now: Interpret scores in multiple subscales

Question 30

MMPI-2 (4)

Answer 30

(1) Re-standardization: More appropriate normative sample
(2) Updated item content (567 items)
(3) Same clinical scales but 5 and 0 not psychopathology
(4) 3 new validity scales (FB, VRIN, TRIN)

Question 31

MMPI New validity scale: FB

Answer 31

Frequent Back:
(before = infrequent responding in 1st half of the test);
- this = infrequent responding in 2nd half of the test

Question 32

MMPI New validity scale: VRIN

Answer 32

Assesses random responding
For each scale, you have 2 items with similar content (should be similar) => if they don’t answer in similar way, random responding

Question 33

MMPI New validity scale: TRIN

Answer 33

Measure of acquiescence: Pairs of items with opposite content => should have different responses
If agree to both = acquiescence

Question 34

MMPI also have ________ (~60) based on _______

Answer 34

Content scales (measuring particular constructs); Rational test construction (Based on judgment of what items seem to be measuring)
=> E.g. anxiety, alcoholism scale, Obsessiveness, Family problems, Negative treatment indicators

Question 35

Strength MMPI-2

Answer 35

Large, more diverse normative sample

Question 36

Weaknesses MMPI-2 (2)

Answer 36

(1) Criterion groups now dated
(2) Considerable item overlap reduces discriminant validity