Chapter 7: Methods of Personality Assessment

A core focus is the comparison between the major scale construction strategies, specifically contrasting the inductive, factor-analytic approach pioneered by Raymond B. Cattell, and the deductive, construct-oriented methods developed by Douglas Jackson. Cattell’s work, which led to instruments like the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), utilized factor analysis as the primary technique to discern the fundamental structure of personality, often advocating for the use of parcels (homogeneous groups of items) rather than individual items. Conversely, Jackson’s methodology, exemplified by the Personality Research Form (PRF), relied on pre-existing substantive theory to guide item development and prioritized the establishment of construct validity through techniques such as the multitrait-multimethod approach. The text delves into advanced psychometric procedures, distinguishing between exploratory factor analysis (EFA), aimed at identifying underlying structures, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which is one application of structural equation modeling (SEM) used to verify theoretical structures. Cautionary notes are given regarding the complex issues inherent in item factor analysis and the potential pitfalls of exploratory applications of SEM, which can risk generating interpretations based on the unique characteristics of individual samples, particularly in smaller sample sizes. Beyond self-report, the chapter advocates for comprehensive multidimensional measurement using various media, including life-record data (L-data, or biodata), which has proven useful in areas like personnel selection, and observer ratings. Observer ratings (R-data) are particularly vital in contexts where self-reports are likely to be distorted, such as psychiatric evaluation or the assessment of young children, and can be structured by converting self-report items into a third-person format, as seen in the NEO-PI-R Form R. Response distortion remains a central issue; measures often include validity and correction scales to manage response sets like random responding or motivational faking. The concept of social desirability is explored not just as a measurement confound but also as a distinct personality variable, with newer models separating it into self-deception and impression management. In addition to traditional scales, conditional reasoning is discussed as a contemporary indirect measurement approach designed to be more resistant to intentional faking by structuring response alternatives based on known self-serving cognitive premises. Finally, the chapter addresses considerations in item development, such as managing item complexity, ambiguity, and the handling of gender differences, often through separate normative data, while also reviewing measures of psychopathology like the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ) and Basic Personality Inventory (BPI) that differ structurally from older instruments like the MMPI due to their varied construction methods. The historical debate surrounding the Five-Factor Model (FFM) is briefly mentioned, noting that both Cattell and Jackson argued for the utility of more dimensions than the commonly accepted five.