definitions The 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 Karson, S., & O'Dell. J. W., A Guide to the Clinical Use of
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.
the 16 PF. IPAT, 1976). Furthermore,
Capsule Descriptions of the 16 Primary Personality Factors
Reserved, Detached, Critical, Cool, Impersonal
(Si70thymial
Warmhearted, Outgoing, Participating, Interested in People, Easy-going
(Affectothymial
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 "rigid" 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.
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 personal relations, less afraid of criticism, better able to remember names of people.
Less Intelligent, Concrete-thinking
(Lower scholastic mental capacity)
vs.
More Intelligent, Abstract-thinking,
(Higher scholastic mental capacity)
Bright
The person scoring low on Factor B tends to be slow to learn and grasp, dull, 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.
The person who scores high on Factor B tends to be quick to grasp ideas, a fast learner, intelligent. There is some correlation with level of culture, and some with alertness. High scores contraindicate deterioration of mental functions in pathological conditions.
Affected by Feelings, Emotionally Less Stable. Easily Upset. Changeable
(Lower ego strength)
Emotionally Stable, Mature, Faces Reality, Calm, Patient
(Higher ego strength)
The person who scores low on Factor C tends to be low in frustration tolerance for unsatisfactory conditions. changeable and plastic. evading necessary reality demands, neurotically fatigued. fretful, easily annoyed and emotional. active in dissatisfaction, having neurotic symptoms (phobias, sleep disturbances. psychosomatic complaints, etc.). Low Factor C score is common to almost all forms of neurotic and some psychotic disorders.
The person who scores high on Factor C tends to be emotionally mature, stable, realistic about life, unruffled, possessing ego strength, better able to maintain solid group morale. This person may be making a resigned adjustment* to unsolved emotional problems. *Shrewd clinical observers have pointed out that a good C level sometimes enables a person to achieve effective adjustment despite an underlying psychotic potential.
Humble, Mild, Accommodating, Easily Led, Conforming
(Submissiveness)
Assertive, Aggressive, Authoritative, Competitive, Stubborn
(Dominance)
Individuals scoring low on Factor E tend to give way to others, to be docile, and to conform. They are often dependent, confessing. anxious for obsessional correctness. This passivity is part of many neurotic syndromes.
Individuals scoring high on Factor E are assertive, self-assured, and independentminded. They tend to be austere, a law to themselves, hostile or extrapunitive, authoritarian (managing others), and disregarding of authority.
Sober, Prudent. Serious, Taciturn
(Oesurgency)
Happy-go-lucky, Impulsively Lively, Enthusiastic, Heedless
(Surgency)
Low scorers on Factor F tend to be restrained, reticent, and introspective. They are sometimes dour, pessimistic, unduly deliberate, and considered smug and primly correct by observers. They tend to be sober, dependable people.
High scorers on this trait tend to be cheerful, active, talkative, frank, expressive, effervescent, and carefree. They are frequently chosen as elected leaders. They may be impulsive and mercurial.
Expedient, Disregards Rules, Feels Few Obligations
(Weaker superego strength)
Conscientious, Persevering, Proper, Moralistic, Rule-bound
(Stronger superego strength)
People who score low on Factor G tend to be unsteady in purpose. They are often casual and lacking in effort for group undertakings and cultural demands. Their freedom from group influence may lead to antisocial acts, but at times makes them more effective, while their refusal to be bound by rules causes them to have less somatic upset from stress.
People who score high on Factor G tend to be exacting in character. dominated by sense of duty. persevering. responsible, planful, "fill the unforgiving minute." They are usually conscientious and moralistic, and they prefer hard-working people to witty companions. The inner "categorical imperative" of this essential superego (in the psychoanalytic sense) should be distinguished from the superficially similar .. social ideal self" of Q3 + .
Shy, Restrained. Threat-sensitive. Timid
(Threctia)
Venturesome, Socially bold, Uninhibited, Spontaneous
(Parmia)
Individuals who score low on this trait tend to be shy, withdrawing, cautious, retiring .. wallflowers.' They usually have inferiority feelings and tend to be slow and impeded in speech and in expressing themselves. They dislike occupations with personal contacts, prefer one or two close friends to large groups, and are not given to keeping in contact with all that is going on around them.
Individuals who score high on Factor H are sociable, bold, ready to try new things. spontaneous. and abundant in emotional response. Their "thick-skinnedness" enables them to face wear and tear in dealing with people and grueling emotional situations, without fatigue. However, they can be careless of detail, ignore danger signals, and consume much time talking. They tend to be "pushy" and actively interested in the opposite sex.
Tough-minded, Self-reliant, Realistic, No-nonsense
(Harria)
Tender-minded, Intuitive, Unrealistic, Sensitive
(Premsia)
People who score low on Factor I tend to be tough, realistic, "down-to-earth," independent, responsible, but skeptical of subjective, cultural elaborations. They are sometimes unmoved, hard, cynical, smug. They tend to keep a group operating on a practical and realistic "no-nonsense" basis.
People who score high on Factor I tend to be emotionally sensitive, day-dreaming, artistically fastidious, and fanciful. They are sometimes demanding of attention and help, impatient, dependent, temperamental, and not very realistic. They dislike crude people and rough occupations. In a group, they often tend to slow up group performance and to upset group morale by undue fussiness.
Trusting, Adaptable, Free of Jealousy, Easy to Get on With
(Alaxia)
vs.
Suspicious, Self-opinionated, Hard to Fool, Skeptical, Questioning
(Protension)
The person who scores low on Factor L tends to be free of jealous tendencies, adaptable, cheerful, uncompetitive, concerned about others, a good team worker. They are open and tolerant usually and willing to take a chance with people.
People who score high on Factor L tend to be mistrusting and doubtful. They are often involved in their own egos and are self- . opinionated and interested in internal, mental life. Usually they are deliberate in their actions, unconcerned about other people, and poor team members.
N.S. This factor is not necessarily paranoia. In fact, the data on paranoid schizophrenics are not clear as to typical Factor L value to be expected for them.
Practical, Careful, Conventional, Regulated by External Realities
(Praxernia)
Imaginative, Careless of Practical Matters, Unconventional, Absent-minded
(Autia)
Low scorers on Factor M tend to be anxious to do the right things, attentive to practical matters, and subject to the dictation of what is obviously possible. They are concerned over detail, able to keep their. heads in emergencies, but are sometimes unimaginative. In short, they are responsive to the outer, rather than the inner, world.
High scorers on Factor M tend to be unconventional, unconcerned over everyday matters, self-motivated, imaginatively creative, concerned with "essentials," often absorbed in thought, and oblivious of particular - people and physical realities. Their inner-directed interests sometimes lead to unrealistic situations accompanied by expressive outbursts. Their individuality tends to cause them to be rejected in group activities.
Forthright, Natural, Genuine, Unpretentious
(Artlessness)
Shrewd, Calculating, Socially Alert, Insightful
(Shrewdness)
Individuals who score low on Factor N have a lot of natural warmth and a genuine liking for people. are uncomplicated and sentimental, and are unvarnished in their approa"ch to people.
Individuals who score high on Factor N tend to be polished, experienced, and shrewd. Their approach to people and problems is usually perceptive, hardheaded, and efficient, an unsentimental approach to situations, an approach akin to cY!licism.
Unperturbed, Self-assured, Confident, Secure, Self-satisfied
(Untroubled adequacy)
vs.
Apprehensive, Self-reproaching, Troubled
(Guilt proneness)
Worrying,
Persons with low scores on Factor 0 tend to be unruffled, with unshakable nerve. They have a mature, un anxious confidence in themselves and their capacity to deal with things. They are resilient and secure, but to the point of being insensitive of when a group is not going along with them, so that they may evoke antipathies and distrust.
Persons with high scores on Factor 0 have a strong sense of obligation and high expectations of themselves. They tend to worry and feel anxious and guilt -stricken over difficulties. Often they do not feel accepted in groups or free to participate. High Factor 0 score is very common in clinical groups of all types (see Handbook).
FACTOR Q1
Conservative, Respecting Established Ideas, Tolerant of Traditional Difficulties
(Conservatism)
Experimenting, Liberal, Analytical, Likes Innovation
(Radicalism)
Low scorers on Factor Ql are confident in what they have been taught to believe, and accept the "tried and true," despite inconsistencies, when something else might be better. They are cautious and compromising in regard to new ideas. Thus, they tend to oppose and postpone change, are inclined to go along with tradition, are more conservative in religion and politics, and tend not to be interested in analytical "intellectual" thought.
High scorers on Factor Ql tend to be interested in intellectual matters and to have doubts on fundamental issues. They are skeptical and inquiring regarding ideas, either old or new. Usually they are more well informed, less inclined to moralize, more inclined to experiment in life generally, and more tolerant of inconvenience and change.
FACTOR Q2
Group Oriented, A "Joiner" Sound Follower
(Group adherence)
and
Self-sufficient, Prefers Own Decisions, Resourceful
(Self-sufficiency)
Individuals who score low on Factor Q2 prefer to work and make decisions with other people and like and depend on social approval and admiration. They tend to go along with the group and may be lacking in individual resolution. They are not necessarily gregarious by choice; rather they might need group support.
Individuals who score high on Factor Q2 are temperamentally independent, accustomed to going their own way, making decisions and taking action on their own. They discount public opinion, but are not necessarily dominant ...