Comprehensive Personality Assessment: Exploring Cattell, Eysenck, Edwards, MMPI & Kernberg
Test Summary
Cattell’s Theory
Cattell believed understanding personality allows us to predict a person’s behavior in specific situations. This contrasts with Freud’s theory, focusing on observable behaviors and correlating them through factor analysis to identify underlying traits.
16 PF Test
- 187 items
- Three alternatives (a, b, c)
Raw scores are directly corrected, while standard scores represent a percentage of the group. Parameters are set above or below average standard deviation.
- Factor A (Warmth): Degree of social engagement (+ Outgoing / – Reserved)
- Factor B (Reasoning): Intellectual ability (+ Abstract thinking / – Concrete thinking)
- Factor C (Emotional Stability): Resilience to frustration (+ Stable / – Unstable)
- Factor E (Dominance): Assertiveness (+ Dominant / – Submissive)
- Factor F (Liveliness): Enthusiasm (+ Enthusiastic / – Reserved)
- Factor G (Rule-Consciousness): Adherence to values (+ Moral / – Non-conformist)
- Factor H (Social Boldness): Confidence (+ Bold / – Shy)
- Factor I (Sensitivity): Emotionality (+ Emotional / – Rational)
- Factor L (Vigilance): Trust (+ Trusting / – Distrustful)
- Factor M (Abstractedness): Imagination (+ Subjective / – Objective)
- Factor N (Privateness): Social awareness (+ Alert / – Naive)
- Factor O (Apprehension): Self-doubt (+ Apprehensive / – Self-confident)
- Factor Q1 (Openness to Change): Willingness to adapt (+ Open / – Routine-oriented)
- Factor Q2 (Self-Reliance): Independence (+ Self-sufficient / – Group-dependent)
- Factor Q3 (Perfectionism): Self-perception (+ Perfectionistic / – Control-seeking)
- Factor Q4 (Tension): Stress level (+ Tense / – Relaxed)
Eysenck’s Theory
Eysenck’s theory, rooted in psychology and genetics, emphasizes temperament and the influence of heredity on personality. He focused on identifying superfactors, underlying dimensions that explain correlations between traits.
Dimensions
- Extraversion/Introversion: Sociability and outward vs. inward focus.
- Neuroticism/Stability: Emotional stability and control vs. instability and reactivity.
- Psychoticism: Loss of reality contact, impulsivity, and antisocial tendencies.
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)
- Two scales and four categories.
- Measures Eysenck’s defined concepts.
- Categorizes behavior.
- Scales: Reliability, Neuroticism, Sociability, Psychoticism.
Other Tests
Domino Test
- Deductive reasoning
- Logical reasoning
- Learning potential
Edwards Test
Based on Murray’s theory of needs, this test uses a 225-item questionnaire to assess individual needs and motivations.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
This test measures 19 scales, including clinical, reliability, and additional scales, to assess personality and psychopathology.
Psychometric Testing
Psychometrics aims to objectively measure personality variables and is used in clinical, educational, occupational, and research psychology.
Traits, Disorders, and Normality
This section discusses the difference between traits and disorders, criteria for normality and abnormality, and the distinction between neurosis and psychosis.
Otto Kernberg and Structural Diagnosis
Kernberg’s work focuses on borderline personality organization and structural diagnosis, emphasizing object relations and ego functioning.
DSM-IV
The DSM-IV provides diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, including personality disorders, using a multiaxial system.