The document provides an overview of the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). It describes how Raymond Cattell developed the 16PF to measure normal personality traits based on 16 primary factors and 5 global factors. The 16PF is a self-report personality test that is widely used both in research and clinical settings. It provides a comprehensive personality profile through its primary scales, global scales, and validity scales.

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16
PERSONALITY
FACTOR
QUESTIONNAIR
E
By Muhammad Musawar Ali
MPHIL, ICAP

2. Definition
– Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns
of thinking, feeling and behaving.
– The study of personality focuses on two broad areas:
– One is understanding individual differences in particular
personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability.
– The other is understanding how the various parts of a person
come together as a whole.
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3. Cattell Definition of Personality
– Cattell defined personality as " That which permits a
prediction of what a person will do in a given situation."
– Source Traits are the underlying basic factors of an
individuals personalities (reserved versus outgoing).
– Cattell examined every possible (over 18,000) possible
vocabulary words which indicated Surface Traits, i.e. some
aspect of personality (optimistic attitude).
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4. 16 Personality Factors
– The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) is a self-
report personality test developed over several decades of empirical
research by Raymond B. Cattell, Maurice Tatsuoka and Herbert Eber to
measure comprehensively normal range personality found to be effective
in a variety of settings where an in-depth assessment of the whole person
is needed.
– Cattell proposed a multi-level, hierarchical structure of personality: the
second-order global measures describe personality at a broader,
conceptual level, while the more precise primary factors reveal the fine
details and nuances that make each person unique, and are more powerful
in predicting actual behavior.
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5. Development of 16PF
– Raymond Cattell’s personality research was based on his strong
background in the physical sciences; born in 1905, he witnessed the first-
hand awe-inspiring results of science, from electricity and telephones to
automobiles, airplanes, and medicine. He wanted to apply these scientific
methods to the uncharted domain of human personality with the goal of
discovering the basic elements of personality (much as the basic elements
of the physical world were discovered and organized into the periodic
table).
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6. – He believed that human characteristics such as creativity,
authoritarianism, altruism, or leadership skills could be predicted
from these fundamental personality traits (much as water was a
weighted combination of the elements of hydrogen and oxygen).
– Cattell believed the basic dimensions of personality could be
discovered and then measured.
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7. – They studied these traits in diverse populations, using three different
methodologies:
– observation of natural, in-situ life behavior or L-data (e.g. academic
grades, number of traffic accidents, or social contacts);
– questionnaire or Q-data from the self-report domain;
– objective behavior measured in standardized, experimental settings or
T-data (e.g. number of original solutions to problem presented,
responses to frustrations). Eventually, this research resulted in the 16
unitary traits of the 16PF Questionnaire
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8. – Cattell and his colleagues first discovered the primary traits, which
provide the most basic definition of individual personality
differences.
– These researchers factor-analyzed the primary traits themselves in
order to investigate personality structure at a higher level. From
this, the broader ‘second-order’ or global factors emerged – the
original Big Five.
– Then the global factors were factor-analyzed into third-order traits
at the highest, most abstract level of personality organization .
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9. Purpose
– The 16PF questionnaire is a broad assessment of normal adult
personality.
– The purpose of the measure is to provide a comprehensive snapshot
of an individual’s personality profile, by reporting on 16 primary
personality factor scales as well as five broader global scales.
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10. Versions
– The 16 PF has 5 versions
– First edition in 1949
– 2nd edition in 1956
– 3rd edition in 1962
– 4th edition in between 1967 and 1969
– 5th edition in 1993 (updated in 2002 with new norming groups based
on the 2000 US Census
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11. Purpose of 5th edition
The goal of the fifth edition revision in 1993 was to
– update, improve, and simplify the language used in the test items;
– simplify the answer format;
– develop new validity scales;
– improve the psychometric properties of the test, including new
reliability and validity data; and
– develop a new standardization sample (of 10,000 people) to reflect
the current U.S. Census population.
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12. – The 16PF Fifth Edition contains 185 multiple-choice items which are
written at a fifth-grade reading level.
– Of these items, 76% were from the four previous 16PF editions,
although many of them were re-written to simplify or update the
language.
– The item content typically sounds non-threatening and asks simple
questions about daily behavior, interests, and opinions e. g. When I
find myself in a boring situation, I usually "tune out" and daydream
about other things.
– The 16PF 5th edition is intended for use with adults 16 years old and
older.
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13. – Most studies have found the 16PF to be among the top five most
commonly used normal-range instruments in both research and
practice.
– The measure is also widely used internationally, and since its
inception has been adapted into over 35 languages worldwide.
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14. Primary Factors
– Factor A: Reserved-Warm
– Factor B: Concrete-Abstract
– Factor C: Emotionally Reactive-Stable
– Factor E: Deferential-Dominant
– Factor F: Liveliness- Serious
– Factor G: Nonconforming (Expedient)- Dutiful (Rule-
consciousness)
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15. – Factor H: Shy-Socially Bold
– Factor I: Objective-Sensitive
– Factor L: Trusting-Vigilance
– Factor M: Workable Oriented (Grounded)-Idea Oriented
(Abstracted)
– Factor N: Forthright- Private, Discreet (Tact)
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16. – Factor O: Self-Assured-Apprehensive
– Factor Q1: Attached to Familiar-Open to Change
– Factor Q2: Group Oriented-Self Reliant
– Factor Q3: Tolerates Disorder-Self Disciplined,
Perfectionistic
– Factor Q4: Relaxed-Tense
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17. Global Factors
– Extraversion (EX): Introverted-Extraverted (Socially
participating)
– Anxiety (AX): Little Anxiety-High Anxiety
– Tough-Mindedness (TM): Open-minded, Intuitive-Tough-
Minded, Unempatetic
– Independence (IN): Accommodating, Selfless-Independent,
Willful
– Self-Control (SC): Unrestrained, Self-Controlled, Inhibited
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18. Description of Primary Scales
Descriptors of lower range Primary scales Descriptors of high range
Reserved, Impersonal,
Distant
Warmth (A) Warm-hearted, Caring,
Attentive To Others
Concrete, Lower Mental
Capacity
Reasoning (B) Abstract, Bright, Fast-
Learner
Reactive, Affected By
Feelings
Emotional Stability Emotionally Stable,
Adaptive, Mature
Deferential, Cooperative,
Avoids Conflict
Dominance (E) Dominant, Forceful,
Assertive
Serious, Restrained,
Careful
Liveliness (F) Enthusiastic, Animated,
Spontaneous
Expedient,
Nonconforming
Rule-Consciousness (G) Rule-Conscious, Dutiful
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19. Shy, Threat-Sensitive Socially Boldness (H) Socially Bold,
Venturesome, Thick-
Skinned
Tough, Objective,
Unsentimental
Sensitivity (I) Sensitive, Aesthetic,
Tender-Minded
Trusting, Unsuspecting,
Accepting
Vigilance (L) Vigilant, Suspicious, Wary
Practical, Grounded,
Down-To-Earth
Abstractness (M) Abstracted, Imaginative,
Idea-Oriented
Forthright, Genuine Privateness (N) Private, Discreet, Non-
Disclosing
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20. Self-Assured, Unworried,
Complacent
Apprehension (O) Apprehensive, Self-
Doubting, Worried
Traditional, Attached To
Familiar
Openness to Change (Q1) Open To Change,
Experimenting
Group-Orientated,
Affiliative
Self-Reliance (Q2) Self-Reliant, Solitary,
Individualistic
Tolerates Disorder,
Unexacting, Flexible
Perfectionism (Q3) Perfectionistic, Organized,
Self-Disciplined
Relaxed, Placid, Patient Tension (Q4) Tense, High Energy,
Driven
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21. Description of Global Scales
Descriptors of Low Range Global Scales Descriptors of High
Range
Introverted, Socially
Inhibited
Extraversion Extraverted, Socially
Participating
Low Anxiety Anxiety Neuroticism High Anxiety
Receptive, Open-Minded, Tough-Mindedness Tough-Minded, Resolute,
Unempathic
Accommodating,
Agreeable, Selfless
Independence Independent, Persuasive,
Willful
Unrestrained, Follows Self-Control Self-Controlled, Inhibits
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22. Interaction b/w Primary and Global
Factors
Primary Factor Global Factors
Warm-Reserved (A) Extraversion/Introversion
Lively-Serious (F)
Bold-Shy (H)
Private-Forthright (N)
Self-Reliant vs Group Oriented (Q2)
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23. Emotionally Reactive-Stable (C) High Anxiety/Low Anxiety
Vigilant-Trusting (L)
Apprehension vs Self-Assured (O)
Tense-Relaxed (Q4)
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24. Warm-Reserved (A) Though-Mindedness/Receptivity
Sensitive-Unsentimental (I)
Abstract-Practical (M)
Open to Change-Traditional (Q1)
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25. Warm-Reserved (A) Though-Mindedness/Receptivity
Sensitive-Unsentimental (I)
Abstract-Practical (M)
Open to Change-Traditional (Q1)
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26. Dominant-Deferential (E) Independence-Accommodation
Bold-Shy (H)
Vigilant-Trusting (L)
Open to Change-Traditional (Q1)
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27. Validity Scales
– The 16PF reports three validity scales which help to account for
response bias.
– These scales are the Impression Management Scale (IM), a twelve
item, bipolar scale that does not contribute to any of the primary
personality scales. The IM scale evaluates social desirability,
whether or not an examinee is willing to admit behaviors that aren’t
socially desirable.
– The Acquiescence Scale (ACQ), which measures an examinee’s
tendency to agree with whatever statement is presented by
choosing true regardless of whether or not the statement was
actually factual about the responder.
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28. – The Infrequency Scale (INF) is composed of 32 items which is
used to measure the degree to which examinee responses are likely
to be the result of random responding, A high score on the INF
scale indicates that the examinee responded to a “relatively large
number of items” differently than the majority of people. Such a
score might indicate, inability to decide, or comprehension
difficulty (random responding).
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29. Psychometric Properties
– Reliability
– Moderate to good reliability rating have been reported for the 16PF.
– Internal consistency reliabilities are on average 0.76 for the primary
scales (Based on a sample of 10,261 individuals), and a range of 0.68
to 0.87 for all 16 scales.
– The test-reliabilities over a 2 week period showed scores of 0.69-0.87
for all scales and a 2-month interval showed scores ranging from 0.56-
0.79.
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30. – Internal consistency in heterogeneous composites were
applied, and average 0.87 over the five global scale.
– The five global scales of the 16PF Questionnaire show
even higher test–retest reliabilities (they have more
items); they average 0.87 for a two week interval
(ranging from 0.84 to 0.91), and 0.78 for a two-month
interval (ranging from 0.70 to 0.82).
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31. – Construct Validity
– with other measures of normal, adult personality (California Psychological
Inventory, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the NEO-PI-R, the Personality
Research Form, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, other measures of
creativity, leadership, and social skills. These results consistently validate the
meanings of the 16PF scales.
– Predictive Validity
– diverse areas as creativity, social skills and empathy, marital compatibility,
leadership potential, over a hundred occupational profile, Employee selection,
promotion, and development, Managers, executives, Social/helping
occupations etc.
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32. Administration
– The manual indicates that 16PF can be administered in 35-50
minutes when administered by hand
– 25 to 35 minutes when administered by computer.
– The 16PF can be administered Individually or in groups.
– Administration is also available via computer software and internet
based services.
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33. Who can Administer?
– By a variety of professionals who understand the limits of psychological
testing and interpretation and possess a fundamental understanding of
psychometrics.
– Those administering the 16PF should also be familiar with the Standards
for Educational and Psychological Testing as presented by the American
Psychological Association.
– Specific training exists for those who would like to become experts at
using the 16PF, but is not required by the publisher before use of the
instrument.
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34. – In order to purchase the instrument from IPAT, IPAT requires the
competition of a user qualification form.
– In order to receive materials from IPAT, they ask that professionals
provide the organization with credentials regarding licensure,
education, training and experience, and/or affiliation that supports
the professional’s stated ability to use materials for their intended
purposes.
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35. – The authors of the manual recommend that the administrator stress to
encourage the examinees to pick the response that initially seems most
suited to them.
– The manual suggests it might be appropriate to remind examinees of
this at least once during the administration process.
– The administrator should also be cautious in scoring and interpreting the
score, paying particular attention to the reliability scales that could
indicate reporter bias. In interpreting the score, the manual also notes that
the BIR should not be given directly to the examinee without the aid of a
professional to explain such results
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36. Scoring
– The raw scores from these answers are converted to sten scores, a
standardized measure which ranges from 1-10, with a mean of 5.5 and a
standard deviation of 2.
– Sten scores between 4 and 7 are considered to be average, with outliers
on either side.
– The extreme scores in a profile, those that fall outside of the average
range, usually indicate the most distinctive traits of the examinee.
– Numerous extreme scores indicate more distinctive expression of
personality
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37. – Responses can be hand scored or computer scored by the publisher
through mail in forms, software or internet-based services.
– Numerous resource books are available to aid interpretation.
– 16PF Interpretation in Clinical Practice (Karson, Karson, &
O'Dell, 1997)
– The 16PF: Personality in Depth (Cattell, H.B., 1989)
– Essentials of the 16PF (Cattell, H.E. & Schuerger, J.M, 2003)
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38. – Scores are reported on one of numerous available score reports, including
the Basic Score Report, which covers the basic sixteen personality scores.
– More commonly used the Basic Interpretive Report (BIR), which, in
addition to the basic sixteen personality scores, contains a profile of
each global factor and the related primary factors, arranged from most
extreme to average. Brief interpretive statements are provided for each
of the global factors on which the examinee scores outside the average
range; for average scores, scores are reported, but no narrative
information is given.
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39. Gender related Norms
– The updated fifth edition also reports sex specific norms for three
of the sixteen basic personality factors. On the factors “Warmth,”
“Sensitivity” and “Apprehension,” it was found that males tended
to report differently than females, which was not the case with the
other factors. The gender-specific and combined gender norms are
available as scoring options for these three factors.
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40. Uses
– It can be used in variety of settings:
– It can be used as a starting point in therapy, to give a counselor an
overall view of a client’s personality profile and serve as a guide to an
individualize counseling plan.
– The 16PF provides a measure of behavioral trends including anxiety
and adjustment, which can facilitate diagnostic and treatment
strategies.
– to evaluate management potential, facilitate leadership development
and executive coaching, supplement individual and couple’s
counseling, and inform career and vocational counseling.
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41. – Help identify students with potential academic, emotional, and
social problems.
– Help identify personality factors that may predict marital
compatibility and satisfaction. Results also highlight existing or
potential problem areas.
– Provide vocational guidance to identify occupations for which the
individual is best suited.
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42. Other Scales
– 16 PF Questionnaire Online (Five point rating)
– Cattell’s Personality Factors Questionnaire
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43. Limitations
– It is inappropriate for use in assessing abnormal personality. The
16PF is useful in predicting specific behavioral areas such as social
skills, but does not address motivation behind behaviors.
– The manual itself costs $55 when purchased from the publisher.
– These starter kits range in price from about $100 to $150. Testing
booklets are available in packs of ten for $23. Answer sheets are
available in packs of 25 for $20-$22, depending on the quantity
ordered.
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44. – Mail in score reports (BIRs) cost from $20-$50 each, depending on
the quantity submitted and the type of score report desired. Using a
basic starter kit, administration would be between $50 and $75 per
administration.
– Administration is also available via computer software and internet
based services. For the BIR report, the computer administration
costs approximately $25 per administration.
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45. Cultural related Issues
– The 16PF fifth edition makes an effort to include aspects of identity such as race
and ethnicity in the norming group. The publisher also notes that the questions
contained in the fifth edition were designed to be non-invasive, meeting the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s requirements, as related
to the Civil Rights act (1990) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
– The aim of this design was to ensure that test result differences among different
ethic, gender, and age groups were minimized (IPAT).
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46. – Several elements of the 16PF consider multicultural issues. The
Rule-Consciousness factor measures the extent to which cultural
standards of right and wrong are internalized and used to govern
behavior.
– Scoring high in this section does not necessarily account for the
cultural values of the client’s culture, but the values endorsed by
the majority of western culture.
– This measurement severely limits the interpretation of scores for
individuals from minority cultures.
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47. – The 16PF is designed to be easy to read and understand, with an overall
readability at the fifth grade level. However, this makes the test less accessible to
those for whom English is a second language.
– In addition, the manual notes that because of the verbal nature of the reasoning
scale, individuals who speak little English could be expected to obtain a lower
than accurate score.
– The 16PF manual also notes that the Vigilant factor does not account for life
circumstances that may impact the adoption of a vigilant stance, often associated
with members of oppressed minority groups
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