Supported by National Institute of Mental Health, USPHS, Grant M-4186 and by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, USPHS, Grant I POI HD-01762-02

Illustrates a multivariate approach to item analysis. Previous formulation is extended by investigating techniques simultaneously taking into account scale variance with the goal of reducing the average correlation between scales. Study examines problems in determining optimum values for combinations of item parameters selected for personality…

Factor analytic convergence of Wiggin's MMPI content scales and the author's unpublished Differential Personality Inventory (DPI) were studied. A varimax rotation yielded seven dimensions: health problems; interpersonal conflict; impulse expression vs. religiosity; denial; depressed withdrawal; cognitive dysfunction; and familial problems. Results…

Examined the usefulness of subtle personality scales in which test respondents are provided with knowledge and motivation to distort self-presentation. Results indicated that subtle scales were not superior when faking occurred. Scores under these faking conditions were less valid, failing to support the utility of disguised approaches. (Author)

Two major purposes were to (1) appraise the extent to which relatively naive item writers can produce valid personality scales, and (2) compare these scales with scales derived from other strategies, particularly those employing empirical methods using an external criterion. (Author/RC)

This study was designed to identify kinds of information leading to increased accuracy of clinical judgments. Results confirm the feasibility of increasing accuracy in meaningful clinical judgment tasks through practice and of studying clinical judgment by using construct-oriented personality scales to which targets bear a substantive…

The content scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), designed to assess substantive dimensions of psychopathology, were evaluated through responses of 221 undergraduates. Results indicate that the convergent and discriminant validity of MMPI-2 content scales are compromised by substantial confounding general variance.…

Explored utility of disguise in structured self-report assessment of psychopathology, using university students. Data indicated that under normal test-taking circumstances, use of disguised test items was not advantageous. This relationship was moderated by several dimensional parameters. Results supported rational strategy of test construction,…

Study investigated the validity of several scales from the Differential Personality Inventory, a personality questionnaire designed to measure a number of variables relevant to psychopathology. (Authors)

The psychometric reliability of a factor, defined as its generalizability across samples drawn from the same population of tests, is considered as a necessary precondition for the scientific meaningfulness of factor analytic results. A solution to the problem of generalizability is illustrated empirically on data from a set of tests designed to…

A model designed to account for major factors on personality questionnaires is proposed and evaluated using the Differential Personality Inventory. Two respondent processes are postulated: sensitivity to the underlying desirability of items, and threshold for responding desirably. (Author/JKS)

Conducted two surveys of personnel executives to demonstrate the relationships between their job activities and job satisfaction and their vocational interests and personalities. The personality scales of affiliation, nurturance, exhibition, desirability and particularly dominance, defined personnel managers most strongly. The higher the autonomy…

Major aim of this study was to distinguish clearly between two interpretations of acquiescence response style. (Authors)