Personality Research Form Scales Research Articles

IT ISN'T THAT STRANGE: PARANORMAL BELIEF AND PERSONALITY TRAITS

This study examined two contrasting views of paranormal belief which suggest, in one camp, that belief in the paranormal is indicative of psychopathology. On the other hand, a number of researchers have disagreed with this viewpoint, suggesting that such belief is not an indicator of psychopathology, but the fulfillment of some other underlying need. This study was designed to assess the personality traits of those we would consider high and low believers in parapsychology. 105 participants completed the Paranormal Belief Scale (PBS), (Tobacyk & Milford, 1983) the Anomalous Experience Inventory (AEI), (Kumar, Pekala, & Gallagher, 1994) and the Personality Research Form (PRF) (Jackson, 1984) in order to examine the differences among the personality traits of high and low believers in the paranormal. The 2 commonly used measures of paranormal belief were significantly correlated. Likewise, high believers scored significantly higher on the PRF scales of Aggression and Defendence. There were no differences on any of the other personality scales. The results indicate that high and low believers do not differ on the traits that are considered to be nonpathological.

CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF THE CHINESE ADAPTATION OF FOUR THEMATIC SCALES OF THE PERSONALITY RESEARCH FORM

Personality research conducted in China has largely ignored the role of thematic motivations in explaining behavior. The goal of this paper is to begin a systematic investigation of thematic motivations by analyzing the construct validity of thematic scales from the Personality Research Form (PRF). One hundred and ninety-three Hong Kong college students completed a Chinese translation of the PRF-E scales Achievement, Affiliation, Dominance, and Nurturance, Gudykunst's scale measuring independent and interdependent self-construal, the Sino-American Person Perception Scale (SAPPS) measuring Chinese traits, and the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) that provided 12,761 snapshots of daily positive and negative affect (PANA) and potency (feeling strong, active, and sharp) across social contexts. The PRF inter-scale correlations matched those of U.S. college students except for an unexpectedly high correlation between Affiliation and Nurturance. The PRF scales had the predicted relationships with the other dispositional measures. Achievement predicted higher PA and lower NA in academic/ work activities, Affiliation higher PA in face-to-face communication, Dominance higher potency in extra-curricular activities. With the partial exception of Nurturance, the Chinese thematic PRF scales have strong construct validity.

Fluid Intelligence, Crystallized Intelligence, and the Openness/Intellect Factor

We investigated the relations of the Big Five personality factor of Intellect or Openness to Experience with the crystallized and fluid aspects of measured intelligence. Approximately 500 participants completed the Personality Research Form (PRF) and the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery (MAB). An Openness/Intellect scale, defined as the sum of four PRF scales known to be markers of the Openness/Intellect factor (Understanding, Sentience, Change, and Autonomy), was substantially correlated with MAB subtests that assess crystallized knowledge (the Verbal Scale subtests except Arithmetic), but only weakly correlated with MAB subtests that assess fluid ability (the Performance Scale subtests and Arithmetic). Among the fluid ability subtests, those containing pictures or meaningful visual stimuli were somewhat correlated with Openness/Intellect, whereas those containing numbers or abstract shapes were virtually uncorrelated with Openness/Intellect.

Joint Factor Analysis of the Personality Research Form and the Jackson Personality Inventory: Comparisons with the Big Five

Personality Research Form (PRF) and Jackson Personality Inventory (JPI) scales were jointly factor analyzed on a sample of 528 respondents with the aim of comparing a five-factor solution to the Big Five personality factors. Comparisons with Saucier's Adjective Mini-Markers of the Big Five revealed that three of the PRF-JPI varimax factors had strong and nearly isomorphic relations to the Big Five Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Intellect/Imagination factors, respectively. The other two PRF-JPI factors were strongly related to Agreeableness and Emotional Stability but emerged as variants of these factors, rotated about 45 degrees from their traditional locations. Several PRF and JPI scales—including PRF Harmavoidance, JPI Value Orthodoxy, JPI Energy Level, JPI Risk Taking, and JPI Social Adroitness—were not strongly related to any one or two of the Big Five factors.

A preliminary comparison of selected PRF and DPQ scales

Seven pairs of personality scales were selected from Tellegen's differential Personality Questionnaire (DPQ) and Jackson's Personality Research Form (PRF) on the basis of similar or opposite scale definitions. It was hypothesized that the conceptual relationships that are seen in the scale definitions would be reflected in strong correlations between the selected scale pairs. The items which compose each pair of scales were examined to determine the degree of item similarity. Pearson correlations between the scale pairs showed strong and significant relationships in the directions predicted from scale definitions. These findings were presented in the form of an abbreviated Campbell-Fiske matrix and discussed in relation both to the degree of item similarity in the scale pairs and to convergent and divergent validity issues. An intercorrelation matrix of all DPQ and PRF scales was also presented.

Personality correlates of eating attitudes in a nonclinical sample

Few studies have investigated the relationship between eating history, attitudes and/or behaviors, and personality in nonclinical populations. This is a report of a serendipitous finding with 122 female undergraduates and a partial replication of that study with 40 older college females. Multiple regression analyses were carried out with the Restraint Scale, Eating Attitudes Test, and self-report of weight history used as predictors of personality. The Jackson Personality Research Form scales were found to have significant relationships, modest in size but large in number of scales affected, with eating history and/or lifestyle. This suggests an overlooked connection between eating behaviors and personality in normal as well as clinically impaired females.

Examination of the Construct Validity of the SVIB-SCII Adventure Scale for College Women

The authors assessed the construct validity of the SVIB-SCII Adventure scale for women college students. Significant correlations were found with Jackson Personality Research Form scales that measu...

Air Force Pilot Personality: Hard Data on the "Right Stuff".

Three-hundred and fifty Air Force pilots undergoing Undergraduate Pilot Training were administered the Personality Research Form (PRF) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) within the first four weeks of training. Pilots were significantly different from non-flying college students on several PRF scales. Cluster analyses indicated that three very distinct personality types exist in the data. These types were supported through multiple cross-validations. Descriptions of pilot personality types are given in terms of PRF and MCMI personality variables. The accuracy of prevailing stereotypes is examined in light of the data. Implications for future research and pilot selection criteria are discussed.

Ethnicity and Personality in a Canadian Context

Abstract Personality differences between respondents representing Eastern (i.e., Chinese, Japanese, Indo-Pakistani) versus Western (i.e., Anglo and European) cultural traditions in a Canadian context were explored by analyzing the Personality Research Form (PRF) protocols of 635 University of Toronto students as a function of their sex and ethnicity. Respondents were classified into Asian, European, or Anglo categories of ethnicity on the basis of their surname. Analyses of the PRF scales revealed effects for both ethnicity and sex. Those belonging to Asian ethnic groups scored higher than those of Anglo or European background on needs for order, harm-avoidance, and social recognition but lower on needs for dominance, exhibition, nurturance, and affiliation. Interaction effects on several PRF scales also suggested greater gender-role differentiation among those classified in the Asian category.

Student-generated personality scales

A laboratory exercise, based on Jackson’s (1975) procedure, was developed in which four groups of undergraduates each generated a rationally derived, 10-item personality scale to measure one of four personality traits. Student responses on these and corresponding scales from Jackson’s (1974) Personality Research Form (PRF) were correlated with self-ratings and peer ratings of the students. The median validity (i.e., scale-rating correlation) for the student-generated scales was .42, compared with .55 for the PRF scales; however, the PRF scale accounted for an appreciably larger proportion of the criterion rating variance than did the corresponding student scale in only 6 of the 16 comparisons. The results generally were consistent with past work demonstrating the validity of student-generated, rationally derived scales of personality. Furthermore, the exercise proved useful in illustrating principles of item analysis and scale validation for the participating students.

A Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix Analysis of the PRF and MNQ Need Scales

The reliability and validity of the Manifest Needs Questionnaaire (MNQ) and the Personality Research Form (PRF) nAch, nAff, nAut, and nPow scales were assessed in a heterogeneous sample (N = 136). Reliability was assessed by computing coefficient alpha for each scale. Validity assessments were based on criteria suggested by Campbell and Fiske (1959) for evaluating the multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrix. An additional analysis of variance suggested by Kavanagh, MacKinney, and Wolins (1971) was applied to the MTMM matrix; thus allowing the quantitative identification of the effects of subjects, traits, and methods. The scales demonstrate convergent and discriminant validity according to these analyses. Where validity is in question, the cause seems to be due to the overall poor reliabilities of the MNQ scales. Only the MNQPOW scale was acceptably reliable, while all the PRF scales were acceptable. The unreliability of the MNQ seems to be afunction of item heterogeneity and scale variance, while the PRF does not appear as sensitive to these factors.

Bipolar Adjective Rating Scales for Self-Description: Reliability and Validity Data

Bipolar adjective rating scales were constructed to evaluate selected needs from Murray's (1938) theory of personality. Twenty items measuring each of six needs (succorance, autonomy, dominance, social recognition, achievement, and nurturance) were initially developed to provide a preliminary instrument that was administered to 200 individuals. Because of an unacceptably low estimate of internal consistency, the need for succorance was eliminated. For each of the five remaining needs, sets of 12 adjective pairs were selected based on item-total correlations. The resulting 60-item inventory as well as the Personality Research Form (PRF) (Jackson, 1967) scales measuring the same five needs was administered to 254 college students. Internal-consistency estimates of the bipolar adjective measures compared favorably to those of the PRF scales. Examination of the matrix of inter correlations among bipolar and PRF measures (serving as criterion) and consideration of the problems in developing a reliable measure for succorance suggest that certain personality traits are more amenable to valid measurement by bipolar adjective items than are others.

Personality Characteristics of Ski Instructors and Predicting Teacher Effectiveness Using the PRF

Normative data for the Personality Research Form (PRF) were collected from 118 ski instructors (40 female, 78 male). Subjects differed significantly from PRF norms on 17 scales (.0001 < or = p < or = .05), thus reiterating the need for caution when applying college-normed summary statistics to non-college populations. The efficacy of PRF scales as predictors of teaching effectiveness was also investigated. Three PRF scales (Abasement, Succorance and Sentience) were negatively correlated with increasing levels of teaching effectiveness. Univariate regressions yielded Abasement and Sentience scores as significant predictors of effective ski instruction.

The Personality Research Form as a therapy outcome measure of social behavior.

Reported two studies that examined the efficacy of the Personality Research Form (PRF) as an outcome measure for interventions designed to increase social competence. In the first study (N = 83), the degree to which PRF scales can predict criteria frequently used in social skills training outcome research was examined, and the PRF was shown to be sensitive to such criteria. The second study (N = 24) assessed the relative degree to which the PRF scales and more frequently used outcome measures, including the above criteria, are affected by factors non-specific to social skills training interventions (suggestion for improvement). While three PRF scales were affected significantly, demand effects were much more pervasive on the other measures, which suggests that those measures can be used to obtain valid estimates of treatment effects only when experimental control of non-specific effects is possible. Two PRF scales, Affiliation and Exhibition, were shown to be both sensitive to criteria and resistant to demand effects, and as such may be useful as outcome measures in non-controlled clinical settings.

What If We Administered the "Wrong" Inventory? The Prediction of Scores on Personality Research Form Scales from Those on the California Psychological Inventory, and Vice Versa

Equations are presented for estimating the scores on each of 20 PRF scales and each of 19 CPI scales from the other inventory. Estimates of the cross-validity of these inter-inventory predic tion equations ranged from about .40 to approxi mately .80. Scores on the typical CPI scale are predicted reasonably well by one or two PRF con tent scales, plus the Desirability scale. While scores on most PRF scales can be equally well es timated by a few CPI scales, one PRF scale—Sen— tience—appears to be unpredictable from the CPI.

Perceived and Measured Needs Levels of Counselor Education Students

Because the counseling profession places high value on counselors possessing accurate self‐awareness, this study investigated the differences and relationships between counselor education students' self‐perceived and measured needs levels. A sample of 107 counselor students estimated their needs levels and then completed the Personality Research Form (PRF). Significant differences between their perceived and measured needs levels were found for 10 of the 14 PRF scales. Wide variations were evident in both perceived and measured needs levels. Significant correlations between perceived and measured needs levels percentiles for all 14 scales indicated consistency in over or under estimation of needs levels. Age and number of quarter hours completed were generally unrelated to accuracy of needs level estimation.

AN EVALUATION OF FORCED‐CHOICE AND TRUE‐FALSE ITEM FORMATS IN PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT1,2

ABSTRACTIn a comparative evaluation of a standard true‐false format for personality assessment and a forced‐choice format, subjects from college residential units were assigned randomly to respond either to the forced‐choice or standard true‐false form of the Personality Research Form (PRF). All subjects also rated themselves and the members of their residential units on behavior traits corresponding to the PRF scales. Reliabilities of the scales comprising the true‐false form were substantially higher than those in the forced‐choice form. Peer rating validities for the true‐false and forced‐choice forms were in a comparable range, but correlations with self‐ratings were higher for the true‐false form. Results do not support the contention that for personality scales a forced‐choice format is consistently more valid than a standard format. Considering the other advantages of the true‐false format, including its freedom from the complicating effects of ipsative scores, the use of this format is recommended for the great majority of applications in personality assessment.

Desirability responses in the personality research form by a sample of alcoholics.

The Personality Research Form (PRF) was administered to 40 male alcoholics under standard instructions (SI) and instructions to respond desirably (DI). When instructional sets were compared, 13 of the 22 PRF scales were significantly different. It was concluded that faking attempts in the desirable direction though producing statistically significant differences in group means, may not produce differences that actually make a difference in a practical sense.

Performance on the personality research form under desirable and undesirable instructions: personality disorders.

The Personality Research Form (PRF) was administered to 21 male patients with a diagnosis of personality disorders. Each S was administered the PRF under three different instructional sets: standard instructions (SI), instructions to respond desirably (DI), and instructions to respond undesirably (UI). In general, means for the standard instructions were quite similar to those obtained under the instructions to respond desirably. Under instructions to respond desirably, only nurturance proved to be significantly higher and impulsivity significantly lower than under the standard instructions. However, under instructions to respond undesirably, 13 of the 15 PRF scales showed significant differences when compared with standard instructions. For the particular population sampled, it would appear that the PRF is relatively free from susceptibility to “faking good” but is susceptible to negative malingering.