The definitions and interpretations of the factors, as given below, are short, nontechnical, and, of course, less exact

than the more intensive discussions available in the Handbook and elsewhere (see K arson, S., &
O ' D e l l , J . W., A Guide to the Clinical Use of

the 16 PF. 1PAT, 1976), Furthermore, the large number of profiles given in the Handbook for well-defined occupational and clinical groups provides the psychologist with additional insights into the meaning and operation of the factors.

Capsule Descriptions of the 16 Primary Personality Factors

l o w Store Direction

FACTOR A

High

Score

Direction

Reserved,

Detached, Critical, Cool, Impersonal

{.Sizothvmia}

Warmhearted, Outgoing. Participating, Interested in People, Easy-going (Affectoihvmia ) People who score high (sten of 8 to 10) on Factor A tend to be goodnatured, easygoing, emotionally expressive, ready to cooperate, attentive to people, softhearted, kindly, adaptable. They like occupations dealing with people and socially impressive situations, and they readily form active groups. They are generous in persona' relations, less afraid of criticism, belter able to remember names of people.

People who score low (sten of 1 to 3) on Factor A tend to be stiff, cool, skeptical, and aloof. They like things rather than people, working alone, and avoiding compromises of viewpoints. They are likely to be precise and " r i g i d " in their way of doing things and in their personal standards. In many occupations these are desirable traits. They may tend, at times, to be critical, obstructive, or hard.

FACTOR 8
Less Intelligent, Concrete-thinking

vs.

More

{Lower scholastic mental capacity) The person scoring low on Factor B tends to be slow to learn and grasp, d u l l , given to concrete and literal interpretation. This dullness may be simply a reflection of low intelligence, or it may represent poor functioning due to psychopathology.
Hi

Intelligent, Abstract-thinking. Bright (Higher scholastic mental c a p a c i t y )

The person who scores high on Factor B tends to be quick to grasp ideas, a fast learner, intelligent. There is some correlation w i t h level of culture, and some with alertness, H i g h scores contramdicate deterioration of mental functions in pathological conditions.

FACTORC
Affected by Feelings, E m o t i o n a l l y Less Changeable vs. Emotionally Stable, M a t u r e , Faces R e a l i t y , Stable. Easily Upset, Calm, Patient (Higher ego strength) The person who scores h i g h on Factor C t e n d s t o be e m o t i o n a l l y m a t u r e , s t a b l e , realistic about life, u n r u f f l e d , possessing e g o s t r e n g t h , b e t t e r a b l e to m a i n t a i n s o l i d g r o u p m o r a l e . T h i s person may be m a k i n g a r e s i g n e d a d j u s t m e n t * to u n s o l v e d e m o t i o n a l problems. S h r e w d c l i n i c a l observers have pointed out that a good C level sometimes enables a person to achieve effective a d j u s t m e n t despite an u n d e r l y i n g psychotic p o t e n t i a l

(Lowerego strength) T h e p e r s o n w h o seores l o w o n F a c t o r C tends to be low in frustration tolerance for unsatisfactory conditions, changeable and plastic, e v a d i n g necessary r e a l i t y d e m a n d s , neurotically f a t i g u e d , f r e t f u l , easily annoyed and e m o t i o n a l , active in dissatisfaction, having neurotic s y m p t o m s (phobias, sleep disturbances, psychosomatic complaints, e t c . ) . L o w F a c t o r C s c o r e is c o m m o n t o almost all forms of neurotic and some psychotic disorders,

FACTOR E
Humble, Mild. Accommodating, Easily Led, Conforming (Submissiveness) Individuals scoring low on Factor E tend to give w a y to others, to be docile, and to conform. They are often dependent, confessing, anxious for obsessional dromes. correctness. A ssertive, Aggressive, A uthorita t i v e C o m p e t it i v e , S t u b b o r n
t Dominance.'

^ . - I n d i v i d u a l s s c o r i n g h i g h o n Factor E a r e s e l f - a s s u r e d , and i n d e p e n d e n t m i n d e d . They lend t o b e austere, a law to ^tJ^tmelves, h o s t i l e or extrapunitive, ^ i h o r ^ J t a r i a p ( m a n a g i n g o t h e r s ) , and disregarding of a u t h o r i t y .

Ussertiviy.

T h i s p a s s i v i t y is p a r t o f m a n y n e u r o t i c syn-

FACTOR F
Sober, Prudent. Serious. T a c i t u r n
(Dcsurgency!

Happy-go-lucky,

Impulsively Lively.

Enthusiastic, Heedless (Surge ncy) They High gheerful, scoters on this trait tend to be are They 21

Low scorers on Factor F t e n d to be restrained, reticent, and introspective. are sometimes dour, pessimistic, unduly active; t a l k a t i v e , frank, expresThey

deliberate, and considered s m u g and primly correct by observers. T h e y t e n d to be sober, dependable people.

sive, effervescent,

and carefree.

f r e q u e n t l y c h o s e n as e l e c t e d l e a d e r s . m a y be i n j p n l f i i - ' e a n d m e r c u r i a l ,

FACTOR G

Expedient,

Disregards Rules, Feels Few Obligations

vs.

Conscientious,

Persevering.

Proper

Moralistic, Rule-bound
. (Stronger superego

(Weaker superego strength)

strength)

People w h o score low on Factor G t e n d t o b e c j t n s t e a d y i n p u r p o s e .. T h e y a r e o f t e n ^as^Jaftand l a c k i n g i n e f f o r t f o r g r o u p u n d e r takings a n d c u l t u r a l d e m a n d s . T h e i r freedom f r o m group influence may lead to antis o c i a l a c t s , b u t at t i m e s m a k e s t h e m m o r e e f f e c t i v e , w h i l e t h e i r r e f u s a l t o be b o u n d b y r u l e s c a u s e s t h e m to h a v e less s o m a t i c u p s e t f r o m stress.
N

P e o p l e w h o score h i g h o n F a c t o r G t e n d t o b e e x a c t i n g i n c h a r a c t e r , dominated b y sense o f d u t y , p e r s e v e r i n g , responsible, planful, " t i l l the unforgiving minute.' they are u s u a l l y c o n s c i e n t i o u s and m o r a l i s t i c , a n d t h e y p r e f e r h a r d - w o r k i n g p e o p l e to w i t t y companions. The inner "categorical imperat i v e " o f t h i s e s s e n t i a l s u p e r e g o (in t h e psychoanalytic sense) s h o u l d be distinguished from the superficially similar " s o c i a l ideal s e l f " of Q 3 - .
4

FACTOR H

Shy, R e s t r a i n e d . T h r e a t - s e n s i t i v e , Timid
(Threciia)

vs.

Venturesome,

Socially b o l d . Uninhibited, Spontaneous

(Parana!
I n d i v i d u a l s w h o score high on F a c t o r H are s o c i a b l e ^ (f^spontaneous) response.

I n d i v i d u a l s w h o score l o w o n t h i s t r a i t t e n d to be shy, w i t h d r a w i n g , cautious, retiri n g , " w a l l f l o w e r s . " They usually have inferiority feelings selves. They a n d t e n d to be dislike slow and with i m p e d e d i n speech and in expressing t h e m occupations personal contacts, prefer one or t w o close f r i e n d s t o l a r g e g r o u p s , a n d are n o t g i v e n t o k e e p i n g i n c o n t a c t w i t h a l l t h a t is g o i n g o n around them.

}^oj<J)l
and

t g a d y to try n e w abundaiiT in

things
ensitua-

emotional

Their

"ihick-skinnedness"

a b l e s t h e m t o face w e a r and tear in dealing w i t h p e o p l e a n d g r u e l i n g emotional

tions, w i t h o u t f a t i g u e .

However, they
danger

can

be

c a r e l e s s of d e t a i l , ignore

signals,

a n d c o n s u m e m u c h t i m e t a l k i n g . Thev .end to be " p u s h y " a n d ^ c i K ^ h T n . 1 <.-resierJ~jTie>

22

FACTOR I
Tough-minded, Self-reliant, Realistic, No-nonsense
t Harris)

Tender-minded,

Intuitive, Unrealisti Sensitive

(Premsia)

People who score low on Factor 1 tend to be tough, realistic, " d o w n - t o - e a r t h , " independent, responsible, but skeptical o f subjective, cultural elaborations. They are sometimes unmoved, hard, cynical, smug. They tend to keep a group operating on a practical and realistic " n o - n o n s e n s e " basis.

i r e h j g h on Factor 1 ten o t o Jaydreai n i n g , artistically fastidious," and "fanciful. The y are sometimes demanding of attention and help, impatient, dependent, temperamental a n d not very realistic. They drjslike crude p ::o and rough occupations. In a grotrrrT " hey often tend to slow up group perforn lance and to upset group morale by u n d u e fussiness.

FACTORL
Trusting, Adaptable, Free of Jealousy, Easy to Get on W i t h
CAIaxiai

vs.

Suspicious,

Self-opinionated, H a r d to F o o l ,

Skeptical, Questioning
(Pretension)

The person who scores low on Factor I . tends to be free of jealous tendencies, adaptable, cheerful, uncompetitive, concerned about others, a good team worker. They are open and tolerant and usually w i l l i n g to take a chance w i t h people.

People who score high on Factor L tend to be mistrusting and doubtful. They are often involved in their own egos and are selfopinionated and interested in i n t e r n a l , mental life. Usually they are d e l i b e r a t e i n their actions, unconcerned a b o u t o t h e r people, and poor team members.

N.B. This factor is not necessarily paranoia. In fact, the data on paranoid schizophrenics are not cicalas to typical Factor L value to be expected for them.

FACTOR

Practical,

Careful, Conventional,
(Ptaxernia)

vs.

Imaginative,

Careless of Practical M a t t e r s , Absent-minded

(Autia)

Regulated by External Realities

Unconventional.

Low practical

s c o r e r s on matters,

Factor and

tend to

to be to the They

'

H i g h s c o r e r s o n F a c t o r M t e n d t o be u n conventional, tive, ular unconcerned with over everyday creaoften their to exby matters, self-motivated, concerned people and imaginatively "essentials." realities,

a n x i o u s t o do t h e r i g h t t h i n g s , a t t e n t i v e subject d i c t a t i o n o f w h a t is o b v i o u s l y p o s s i b l e . heads in emergencies, b u t are

a r e c o n c e r n e d o v e r d e t a i l , a b l e to k e e p t h e i r sometimes u n i m a g i n a t i v e . I n short, they are responsive to t h e outer, r a t h e r t h a n the i n n e r , w o r l d .

absorbed in t h o u g h t , and oblivious of particphysical inner-directed interests unrealistic situations to cause them to be sometimes lead

accompanied rejected in

p r e s s i v e o u t b u r s t s . Their i n d i v i d u a l i t y t e n d s group activities.

FACTOR N

Forthright,

N a t u r a l , Genuine,

Shrewd,

C a l c u l a t i n g , Socially Insightful
(Shrewdness!

Alen

Unpretentious
(Artlessness)

I n d i v i d u a l s w h o score low on Factor liking for people, are uncomplicated

N and

I n d i v i d u a l s w h o score h i g h on Factor tend to be polished, experienced,

have a lot of n a t u r a l w a r m t h a n d a g e n u i n e s e n t i m e n t a l , and are u n v a r n i s h e d approach to people. in their

and and

s h r e w d . T h e i r approach to people and probl e m s is u s u a l l y p e r c e p t i v e , h a r d h e a d e d , u a t i o n s , an a p p r o a c h a k i n t o c y n i c i s m . e f f i c i e n t , a n u n s e n t i m e n t a l a p p r o a c h to sit.

24

FACTORO

Unperturbed,

Self-assured,

Confident,

vs.

Apprehensive,

Self-reproaching, Worrying, Troubled ( G u i l t proneness)

Secure,

Self-satisfied

(Untroubled adequacy) Persons w i t h low scores on Factor 0 t e n d to be unruffled, with unshakable nerve. T h e y have<|f1matuj3S| u n a n x i o u s confidence

P e r s o n s w i t h high s c o r e s on Factor o f themselves. Often they

h a v e a s t r o n g sense o f obligation and high expectations

in t h e m s e l v e s a n d t h e i r c a p a c i t y t o deal w i t h t h i n g s . T h e y are resilient a n d secure, b u t t o the "point o f being insensitive of when a group i s not going along w i t h t h e m , so that they may evoke antipathies and distrust.

worry
over

They tend to

and feel anxious a n d difficulties.

guilt-stricken
do not feel

accepted

i n g r o u p s o r f r e e to participate. Handbook).

High

F a c t o r 0 score is very common in

c l i n i c a l g r o u p s o f all types (see

FACTOR Q1

Conservative,

Respecting (Conservatism)

Established

vs.

Experimenting,

L i b e r a l , Analytical

Ideas, Tolerant of T r a d i t i o n a l Difficulties

Likes Innovation

(Radicalism)
H i g h s c o r e r s o n F a c t o r Q i t e n d to b e i n t e r e s t e d i n i n t e l l e c t u a l m a t t e r s and t o h a v e doubts o n fundamental skeptical informed, issues. They a r e ideas, more and inquiring regarding l e s s i n c l i n e d t o moralize,

Low scorers o n Factor Q j are confident in w h a t t h e y have been t a u g h t t o believe, and accept t h e " t r i e d a n d t r u e , " despite inconsistencies, w h e n s o m e t h i n g else m i g h t be better. T h e y are cautious a n d c o m p r o m i s ing in regard t o new ideas. T h u s , they t e n d to o p p o s e a n d p o s t p o n e c h a n g e , a r e i n c l i n e d to g o a l o n g w i t h tradition, are more conservative i n religion a n d politics, and t e n d not t o b e i n t e r e s t e d i n a n a l y t i c a l " i n t e l l e c t u a l " thought.

e i t h e r o l d or n e w . U s u a l l y t h e y a r e more w e l l i n c l i n e d t o e x p e r i m e n t i n life g e n e r a l l y , and more tolerant o f inconvenience and change.

25

F A C T O R Q2

Group

Oriented,

A " J o i n e r " and

Self-sufficient,

Prefers O w n Decisions Resourceful (Self-sufficiency)

Sound Follower
(Group adherence)

I n d i v i d u a l s w h o score low on Factor p r e f e r t o " work y ^approjsaP'and aji<i~_maEe~<recisions

Q2 wiftr

I n d i v i d u a l s w h o score h i g h on Factor aTe t e m p e r a m e n t a l l y independent,

02

accus-

p e o p l e a n c f j i k e ^ a n d d e p e t i d ~ o n social";

T h e y t e n d t o go along w i t h the g r o u p a n d may be lacking i n i n d i v i d u a l r e s o l u t i o n . T h e y are not necessarily gregarious by choice; r a t h e r t h e y m i g h t msydlgrou jTStrpp^rt

<a3ffljratjcj>

t o m e d to g o i n g t h e i r o w n way, m a k i n g decisions a n d t a k i n g a c t i o n o n t h e i r o w n . T h e y ' d i s c o u n t p u b l i c o p i n i o n , b u t a r e n o t ni essarily d o m i n a n t in t h e i r r e l a t i o n s w i t h o t h e r s (see F a c t o r E ) ; i n f a c t , t h e y c o u l d b e h e s i t a n t to ask o t h e r s f o r h e l p . T h e y ment or support, do not dislike people, b u t s i m p l y do not need t h e i r agree-

FACTOR
Undisciplined Self-conflict,
(Low integration)

Q3
Controlled, Socially Precise. Follow t n g Compulsive.
control)

Careless of

vs.

Protocol, Follows O w n U r g e s

Self-image.

( H i g h self-concept

People w h o score l o w on F a c t o r Q3 w i l l not be bothered with w i l l control and have little r e g a r d for social d e m a n d s . impetuous and not overly They are considerate,

People w h o score h i g h on Factor Q j t e n d to have strong control of their emotions and general behavior, are i n c l i n e d t o be socially aware regard and careful, for social and evidence what They is commonly termed "self-respect" reputation. t i m e s t e n d , h o w e v e r , t o be and obstinate. Effective p a r a n o i d s , are h i g h on Q 3 , and h i g h some-

careful, or p a i n s t a k i n g . T h e y may feel m a l a d j u s t e d , a n d m a n y m a l a d j u s t m e n t s (especially the affective, show Q j . b u t not t h e paranoid)

perfectiontsttc

leaders, and some

26

FACTOR Q 4
Relaxed, T r a n q u i l , Torpid, Unfrustrated (Low ergic tension) vs. Tense, Frustrated, D r i v e n , R e s t l e s s ,
Overwrought
(High ergic tension)

Individuals who score low on Factor Q 4 tend to be sedate, relaxed, composed, and satisfied (not frustrated). I n some situations, their oversatisfaetion can lead to laziness and low performance, i n the sense that low motivation produces little trial and error. Conversely, h i g h tension level may disrupt school and work performance.

Individuals who score high on F a c t o r 0 4 tend to be tense, restless, fretful, impatient, and hard d r i v i n g . They are often fatigued, but unable to remain inactive, i n g r o u p s they take a poor view of the degree of u n i t y , orderliness, and leadership. Their f r u s t r a tion represents an excess of s t i m u l a t e d , b u t undischarged, drive.

7.

P R O C E D U R E S FOR

CALCULATING SCORES

SECOND-ORDER

FACTOR

It has been indicated above that the 16 PF can be scored for broad second-order factors as well as for the 16 primaries. Eight second-order factors have been identified and are reported i n the Handbook for the. 16 PF. The first four, which will generally be of most interest to practitioners, are: Qj* 0l( Out QlV Introversion vs. Extraversion Low Anxiety vs. H i g h Anxiety Tender-minded Emotionality vs. Tough Poise Subduedness vs. Independence

Second-order scores are m o r e easily derived from the sten scores on t h e p r i maries than from raw scores. I f t h e p r i m a r y sten scores are combined in t h e m a n n e r shown in the following table, t h e r e s u l t i n g second-order scores will also be i n s t e n form. Tables 7.1 and 7.2 outline a simplified procedure for calculating the first f o u r second-order scores by hand. Table 7. 1 is for use w i t h sten scores f r o m men. T a b l e 7.2 is for use w i t h scores from women. H o w e v e r , more refined decimal weights a r e a v a i l a b l e

Second-orders are labeled with Roman-numeral subscripts to d i s t i n g u i s h t h e m f r o m the last four primaries, which have Arabic-numeral subscripts. 27

Otls-Lrnon School Ability Teit (QLSAT)

A u t h o r : A r t h u r S i n t o n Otis

Publisher: O r i g i n a l l y p u b l i s h e d b y Roger T h o m a s L e n n o n , Ph. D ( 1 9 7 9 ) 7

t h

and 8

t h

e d i t i o n p u b l i s h e d by P e a r s o n E d u c a t i o n , Inc.

Date of Publication:
1 2 6 7 8
s l

ed. ed. ed. ed. ed.

O t i s - L e n n o n School Ability T e s t (published A u g u s t 13, 1979) O t i s - L e n n o n S c h o o l Ability T e s t (published S e p t e m b e r 10, 1982) O t i s - L e n n o n S c h o o l Ability T e s t ( p u b l i s h e d N o v e m b e r 15, 1 9 8 8 ) Otis-Lennon School Ability T e s t (published O c t o b e r 23, 1996) Still u n d e r p u b l i c a t i o n

n d

, h

, h

; n

Brief Description of t h e Test: Otis-Lennon p r e - K to S c h o o l Ability Test is is a t e s t o f a b s t r a c t t h i n k i n g and r e a s o n i n g ability of children

18. The Otis-Lennon

paper,

a group-administered (except preschool), multiple choice, taken

verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning ability. T h e test Ability

w i t h p e n c i l and

measures

y i e l d s v e r b a l a n d n o n v e r b a l s c o r e s , f r o m w h i c h a t o t a l s c o r e is d e r i v e d , c a l l e d a S c h o o l Index (SAI). The SAI is a normalized standard score with a m e a n of 100 and

a standard

deviation of 16. With the exception of pre-K, the test is administered in groups.
The O L S A T serves several purposes: It p r o v i d e s a m a r k e r f o r m e a s u r i n g i n d i v i d u a l y e a r - t o - y e a r progress needs

S o m e . t e a c h e r s m a y f i n d it h e l p f u l f o r i n f e r r i n g i n d i v i d u a l e d u c a t i o n a l For s o m e

school

systems,

it

serves as

an economical

way

to

widely

assess gifted

and

t a l e n t e d c a n d i d a t e s in t h e e a r l y y e a r s . Areas Measured:

T h e test h a s 21 s u b t e s t s , o r g a n i z e d into five a r e a s , a n d a n e q u a l n u m b e r of verbal a n d pictorial r e a s o n i n g , figural r e a s o n i n g , a n d quantitative r e a s o n i n g .

non-

v e r b a l i t e m s i n c l u d e d in e a c h a r e a . T h e f i v e a r e a s a r e v e r b a l c o m p r e h e n s i o n , v e r b a l r e a s o n i n g ,

Psychometric

Properties:

A.

Standardization: The standardization group from spring and fall ofl995 included roughly 463,000

c h i l d r e n , m a t c h e d t o s c h o o l - a g e d US C e n s u s d a t a a t t h e t i m e f o r g e o g r a p h i c r e g i o n , g e n d e r , SES, a n d e t h n i c i t y .

B.

Reliability:

' acceptable

Internal consistency estimates, overall, were SAI r a n g e d f r o m . 7 8 - . 9 7 Verbal range I f r o m .68-.96 Nonverbal ranged from .63-.95

Consistency b e t w e e n t h e v a r i o u s levels w a s generally g o o d Stability data ("test-retest") was n o t provided

(.70's-.80's)

C.

Validity: Evidence of validity was limited t o correlations w i t h previous versions of t h e test.. Correlations w i t h t h e parallel a c h i e v e m e n t test (Stanford-9)

C o r r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n a d j a c e n t levels o f t h e t e s t itself M o r e c o m p e l l i n g e v i d e n c e o f c o n t e n t a n d c o n s t r u c t v a l i d i t y is n o t a v a i l a b l e

Psychometric

properties

listed above came from the 7

th

edition of Otis-Lennon

School

Ability

Test (OLSAT-7).
References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis%E2%80%93Lennon School Ability Test

http://www.brighthubeducntioiTcom/student-nssessment-tools/2577-what-is-the-otis-lennonschool-abilitv-test/ http://www.ecasd.kl2.wi.us/student services/assessments/0LSAT-7.pdf