Motivational Distortion of the 16PF by Welfare Recipients

Abstract

The effectiveness of the Sixteen Personality Factor (16PF) motivational distortion correction procedures was investigated with a sample of 212 welfare recipients who completed the 16PF while participating in a mandatory welfare-to-work program. A multiple regression analysis showed that the motivational distortion (MD) score was significantly related to most of the preselected personality factors. The regression analysts also revealed that primary E (Dominance) was associated with MD, although the manual does not require MD adjustments for this factor. Based on comparisons of mean differences at the various MD correction levels, findings indicated general support for the MD correction procedures described in the manual; however, the magnitude of the correction procedures should be used cautiously as this may overcorrect for MD on some of the 16PF primaries. The relevance of the findings also are discussed in terms of evidence for Cattell's (1968, 1973, 1986) trait-view theory as it applies to response distortions.