Personality Test Data Research Articles

Which Information Matters? Using Policy Capturing to Understand Psychological Recommendations of Civil Competency

ABSTRACT Courts rely heavily on the recommendations of mental health evaluators when making decisions about competency (e.g., Zapf, Hubbard, Cooper, Wheeles, & Ronan, 2004), including civil competency (e.g., Quickel, Demakis, & Reeve, 2017); however, very little is known about how evaluators arrive at their opinions regarding an individual’s capacity. The current study assessed clinical decision-making using a policy capturing methodology. An ecologically valid sample (N = 47) of predominantly white (87.23%) and female (55.30%) clinicians who were eligible to conduct civil competency evaluations in North Carolina were recruited to examine the degree to which five key factors (functional test data, cognitive test data, personality test data, hospitalization history, and/or medication compliance) influenced clinician competency determinations. Personal insight into one’s decision-making process was also measured. Consistent with previous research, functional test data was weighted most heavily in evaluator decisions, though all five factors were considered. Further analysis suggested variable levels of self-awareness of one’s decision-making policies by participants depending on the factor. In addition, there was high agreement among clinicians when cases were straightforward, but perfect disagreement (half recommending competency, half recommending incompetency) among clinicians when cases were more complex. Implications for civil competency assessment and decision-making are discussed.

Interpreting the NLSY79 empirical data on “IQ” and “achievement”: A comment on Borghans et al.’s “Identification problems in personality psychology”

In an otherwise interesting and enlightening article, Borghans, Golsteyn, Heckman, and Humphries (2011) analyzed evidence from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) to support their contention that “achievement” tests have greater power than “IQ” tests in predicting “a variety of life outcomes”. A key point in their argument is their contention that scores on the Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT) represent “achievement” scores and that the AFQT is qualitatively different from purported true “IQ” score data also available in the NLSY79. This contention is based on both conceptual argument and empirical analysis of NLSY79 data. This comment disputes their contention on both grounds. First, it argues that their conceptual distinction is contradicted in the educational testing literature and is based on erroneous assumptions about the nature of the purported true “IQ” test data in the NLSY79. Second, it presents evidence that their empirical findings flow from problems in true “IQ” score imputation and large gaps in calendar time between the purported true “IQ” tests and AFQT and personality test data in the NLSY79 data set.

과학영재의 인지특성 및 성격변인이 학업성취도에 미치는 영향

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the factors which affect academic achievements among gifted students` intellectual and personality characteristics. For this purposes, 125 science gifted students` learning ability test and NEO personality test data were collected and analyzed along with the school achievement scores. According to the results of this study, there are significant relationships between academic achievements and conscientiousness, executive function, and learning motivation. Based on the achievement level, there are positive correlation between academic achievement and conscientiousness in a high academic achievement group. For the middle academic achievement group, there are positive relationship with executive function and learning motivation attention but negative relationship with extraversion. For the low achievement group, concentration was the only factor highly correlated with academic achievement. For the high academic achievement group, conscientiousness is a significant predictors of academic achievement; for middle academic achievement group, executive function and learning motivation were the significant predictors; for low academic achievement group, concentration was the significant predictors of academic achievement. Results were discussed in terms of practical value of enhancing gifted students` academic achievement.

Teaching Inference in Personality Test Interpretation: Verbal Abstract Reasoning and the Tat

Instructors of personality assessment are challenged with teaching students how to execute the tacit thinking skills necessary to make sound test interpretations. The author provides a concrete tool for teaching students how to make interpretive inferences from verbal personality test data utilizing the construct of verbal abstract reasoning. Applied specifically to Thematic Apperception Test interpretation, the author discusses how the construct of verbal abstract reasoning can be utilized: as a model for providing explicit instruction on the implicit process of drawing inferences in test interpretation; for grounding students in data when constructing interpretations and avoiding making overpersonalized interpretations; as a means of basing interpretations on a convergence of data; as a means of gauging the level of confidence one can place in interpretations; and for understanding inferences drawn from other tests, such as the Rorschach.

PLS model building: a multivariate approach to personality test data.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate how personality test data can be plotted with a multivariate method known as Partial Least Squares of Latent Structures (PLS). The basic methodology behind PLS modeling is presented and the example demonstrates how a PLS model of personality test data can be used for diagnostic prediction. Principles for validating the models are also presented. The conclusion is that PLS modeling appears to be a powerful method for extracting clinically relevant information from complex personality test data matrixes. It could be used as a complement to more hard modeling methods in the process of examining a new area of interest.

Interrater reliability among three judges on 130 defense mechanism test variables: a multivariate approach.

The aim of this study was to examine the interrater reliability in the coding of the Defense Mechanism Test for 130 variables on both a variable and a subject level. Parallel with a traditional variable analysis, a multivariate strategy for measurement of interrater reliability, built upon principal component analysis, is presented. The results showed high agreement between judges with an overall interrater reliability coefficient of .98 but indicates the need for elucidation in the coding instructions for nine single variables. It also showed that multivariate modeling methods for handling personality test data are highly resistant to occasional differences on single variables but sensitive to major differences.

Age-Related Personality Differences in Inpatients with Personality Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

There are few empirical studies of age-associated differences in personality characteristics of individuals diagnosed with Personality Disorder (PD), and none that comparatively examine multiple personality characteristics, with a variety of psychological measures, across a wide age range in adults diagnosed with PD and coexisting substance abuse. Personality test data of 392 psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with PD were analyzed by age group. Patients were assessed with the California Psychological Inventory, Psychological Inventory of Personality and Symptoms, Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-1, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-1. There were no age differences in the number of patients diagnosed with PD, but older adults were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with more than one PD. Older patients with PD were significantly less impulsive, paranoid, high-energy, antisocial, and irresponsible than younger patients with PD. It appears that, with aging, there is a general mellowing of personality for those diagnosed with PD, which may be related to the proposed geriatric variants of PD.

The Psychology of Thai Delinquent Youth: A Study of Self-Perception, Ego Defenses, and Personality Traits

Because little is known about the mental and emotional functioning of delinquent adolescents in Thailand, 400 incarcerated youths (300 boys and I 00 girls) and 400 nonadjudicated controls of equivalent age, gender, socioeconomic status, and religion completed newly normed measures of self-concept (Tennessee Self-Concept Scale), ego defense mechanisms (Life Style Index), and personality traits (Adjective Checklist). Among delinquents, gender contrasts revealed that girls, although less self-confident than their male peers, had better social skills and were more aware of their emotions. Relative to controls, the self-perceptions of delinquents were rigid and distinguished by feelings of impulsiveness and being misunder-stood by family members. Denial, repression, and regressive emotionality characterized the coping of the criminally involved youths, and personality test data revealed that the jailed adolescents had impaired introspective and interpersonal abilities. Implications ofthefindingsfor the prevention of delinquency and the treatment of adolescents with disorders of conduct are discussed.

Recidivism Following Spouse Abuse Abatement Counseling: Treatment Program Implications

This paper examined demographic and personality characteristics of violence-free completers (n = 74) and violence repeating completers (n = 32) of a spouse abuse abatement counseling program. Chi-square analyses on categorical data, and analyses of variance on personality test data revealed several predicted findings. Compared to violence-free completers, recidivists reported higher levels of substance abuse both before and after treatment. Recidivists also showed evidence of higher narcissism, measured by the Narcissistic, Gregarious and Aggressive subscales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. Referral source (self or court) did not differentiate the two groups, nor did record of criminal activity. Subsequent discriminant function analysis, entering all predicted variables, correctly identified 65.4% of the recidivists and 73.1% of violence-free completers. Clinical and research implications of the findings are discussed.

Counseling Male Spouse Abusers: Characteristics of Treatment Completers and Dropouts1

This article examines differential demographic and personality characteristics of completers (n = 88) and dropouts (n = 68) from a spouse abuse abatement counseling program. Chi-square analyses on categorical data and multivariate analyses of variance on personality test data revealed several predicted findings. In general, treatment dropouts were younger and had lower employment levels than treatment completers. Dropouts also had higher pretreatment levels of police contact than completers for alcohol- and drug-related offenses, as well as miscellaneous offenses, but not for violent offenses. Personality data indicated greater borderline and schizoidal tendencies among dropouts, compared to completers, as measured by the Millon Clinical Multixial Inventory (MCMI). Moreover, completers evidence lower levels of overall psychopathology than dropouts. Discriminant function analyses correctly predicted 71% of dropouts with the following variables: volunteer status, race, employment, MCMI-Alcohol scale and pretreatment miscellaneous criminal offenses. The results of the present study are discussed in terms of victim safety planning and program policy implications.

PATTERNS OF PERSONALITY DEVIATION AMONG VIOLENT OFFENDERS

Two cluster analytic procedures were applied to personality test data obtained from 300 violent offenders. The analyses produced four broadly similar profile patterns which replicate those found in previous studies of violent offenders. The four patterns were labelled Primary Psychopath, Secondary Psychopath, Controlled and Inhibited. Two factor dimensions of Psychopathy or Antisocial Aggression and Social Withdrawal were sufficient to reproduce the typology. Two further profile patterns were identified, but these were variants or subgroups of the secondary psychopath and controlled profile patterns. The primary and secondary psychopath patterns predominate among those identified as having personality disorders, while controlled and inhibited patterns were more likely to be associated with more serious psychiatric disability.

Nontraditional Male: Men with Primary Childcare/household Responsibilities

Interview, sex role, and personality test data were obtained from 16 nontraditional men who met the following criteria: a) they were married, b) their wives were employed outside the home, and c) they had over 50% of the responsibility for childrearing and household tasks. Ten of the men reported that their mothers had worked when they were growing up, and 11 said that parental roles had influenced their current lifestyle. The men stated that the best aspect of their nontraditional role was their increased involvement with the children, whereas the worst aspect was housework. Most men indicated that they were happy with their lives. Within the sample, 36% of the men were sex-typed androgynous on the Bem Sex Role Inventory and scored significantly differently than the norm on 9 out of 18 subscales of the California Psychological Inventory. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Computers in personality assessment: A brief past, an ebullient present, and an expanding future

For the past 25 years computers have been playing an ever-expanding role in personality assessment. Computers are now involved in both the collection and interpretation of personality test data. With computer technologies becoming more and more accessible it is likely that they will have an even greater effect on future developments in personality appraisal. This review outlines the brief past of computerized personality assessment, presents and discusses empirical findings and theoretical arguments concerning its active present, and attempts to foresee future developments in this field.

Finger Prints and Personality Scores

200 university students were tested to determine whether or not different types of finger prints were associated with personality test data. Comparisons were made between the three main finger-print types: loop, whorl and arch, on each of the 10 digits for each scale on the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF). Subjects with arches on their left index fingers or left middle fingers scored significantly higher on the Neuroticism factor (forthright versus shrewd) than people who had whorls on these fingers. However, no obvious large or simple relationships were found in this preliminary study between the 16 PF scores and finger-print types.

Individual differences in life-style response to coronary artery bypass surgery.

Fifty-three patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery 12 to 27 months previously were given four standard personality questionnaires and asked to write about the main effects the operation had on their life-styles. These responses were then content analysed. Although hierarchical grouping analysis indicated that the responses could best be classified into four groups, only three distinct response profiles emerged. The first group described mainly adverse consequences of surgery; the other three groups described the effects of surgery as beneficial. Personality test data suggested that individual personality and coping style considerably influence a patient's perception of surgical outcome, and that this perception is largely independent of cardiac symptoms.

Psychological Attributes, Patterns of Life Change, and Illness Susceptibility

Personality test data and patterns of life changes over a 3-year period were collected on 73 male medical students to determine the influence of these mediating variables on the occurrence of illness. The results showed that life change units tended to be stable over time within groups which had high and low scores and psychological attributes were significantly different in the two groups. It was found that the subjects who had sustained high life change in all 3 years (the Sustained Group) were associated with a significantly greater number of health changes of more serious kinds than the subjects who had high life change in year 1 but low life change in the subsequent 2 years (the Short Term Group) and that the Short Term Group had greater psychological strengths than the Sustained Group. These findings are congruent with the data from a slightly different analysis in which healthy subjects in the original High Life Change Group obtained lower scores in subsequent years while ill subjects maintained high scores and the healthy subjects showed greater psychological strengths than ill subjects. The data were interpreted to show evidence that psychological characteristics do influence the occurrence of illness and that health is more likely to be impaired by sustained stress than by a short term major crisis.

Psychopathy and personality: the dimensionality of self-report and behaviour rating data in abnormal offenders.

Factor analyses of personality test data in two samples of offenders admitted to psychiatric security hospitals yielded two higher order factors identified as psychopathy or antisocial aggression versus conformity, and social withdrawal versus sociability. One sample was also rated for ward behaviour by nursing staff, and similar factors emerged from the behaviour rating data. The self-report dimension of psychopathy correlated significantly with the corresponding rating dimension at the time of admission and, for medicated subjects only, with ratings obtained 2 years later. Cross-media convergence of the withdrawal dimension was not found at the time of admission, but for unmedicated subjects, initial self-reports correlated significantly with the equivalent rating dimension as assessed 2 years later. The two dimensions therefore appear to measure meaningful behavioural dispositions. While they define the same dimensional space as neuroticism and introversion--extraversion, they appear to provide a more appropriate framework for classification within this population of offenders.

Number of children wanted and expected by American physicians.

Seven hundred thrity-five male and 93 female physicians indicated the number of children they would like to have; 713 and 89 indicated the number they expected to have. These questionnaire responses were related to demographic, educational, and personality test data gathered while the physicians were in medical school. The strongest predictor of both number of children wanted and expected was the size of the physician's own family of origin. Specialists in obstetrics and gynecology wanted and expected more children than those in other specialties.

The Comrey Validity Check Scale as a Predictor of Reliable Personality Test Data

Usefulness of the Comrey Validity Check scale score as an index of random or indiscriminate responding to the Comrey Personality Scales was evaluated on a sample of 7960 Navy paramedical personnel. Corrected split-half reliability coefficients were employed to assess the internal consistency of item responses, since it was assumed that random responders would provide inconsistent answers to the Comrey items. An examination of personality scale reliabilities at each of eight successively higher Validity Check levels revealed a modest decrease in scale reliability from the lowest to the highest Validity Check level and thus indicated that the Validity Check scale may be of limited value in identifying invalid test data. Normative figures were produced which should assist future investigators to interpret the meaning of high Validity Check scores obtained in a naturalistic setting. It was suggested that the Validity Check scale should be considered as a potential predictor of industrial and educational outcomes and that further research should be aimed at generating scales which can be used to detect invalid records.

Effect of Acquisition of Knowledge on Self-Evaluation and the Relationship of Self-Evaluation to Perception of Real and Ideal Self-Concept

To investigate the effect of knowledge acquisition on self-evaluation and self-concept 69 graduate nursing students--25 in an experimental group, 18 in control group I, and 26 in control group II--enrolled in three nursing courses provided demographic data, self-evaluation of entering behavior, and personality test data. The latter two tests were given on pre- and posttest bases. Seven hypotheses were tested. Overall results showed: The experimental group which was taught by means of mastery learning acquired significantly more knowledge than the control groups which received the traditional lecture-discussion method of learning; there was an inverse relationship between knowledge acquisition and self-evaluation of entering behavior; positive correlation between "amount of overestimation or underestimation of previous knowledge'' and extremes of self-concept was partially supported; in general, single students were less able to evaluate accurately by what they thought they knew than were married subjects; employment was inversely related with knowledge acquisition and course grade. The relationship between self-concept and acquisition of knowledge was not significant.