Alternative approaches to test construction: The Deductive Approach

Alternative approaches to test construction: The External Approach

Alternative approaches to test construction:

The Exploratory Scale Construction

Step 1: Begin with an Overinclusive Item Pool

Step 2: Collect Data

FACTORS

I II III

Var 1 X 0 0

Var 2 X 0 0

Var 3 X 0 0

Var 4 0 X 0

Var 5 0 X 0

Var 6 0 X 0

Var 7 0 0 X

Var 8 0 0 X

Var 9 0 0 X

Varimax – Simple Structure – Cluster Structure

In the pursuit of diverse trait indicators, it was important to distinguish true covariation between seemingly disparate response measures from chance patterns. It was required that each factor and each item identified as a factor marker be replicated in subsequent rounds of data analysis. Factor replicability was evaluated separately in both sexes with samples large enough (n > 250) to keep the probability of discarding good items tolerably low. Factor replication typically involved two stages: first, a subset of items consisting of established markers of each scale was factoranalyzed; this rarely resulted in item removals. Next, the remaining items, consisting largely of new candidates, were correlated with the replicated marker scales, and itemsshowing a good convergent-discriminant pattern in both sexes were retained.

To Balance (or not Balance) # T and # F Items

Although both true-keyed and false-keyedcandidate items were written for each scale, the scales were not required to contain an equal number of both (to have 'balanced’ keys). The critical attributes determining inclusion of an item were its convergent and discriminant correlational properties. It was not assumed, and it appeared not to be the case, that any given construct is representedequally well and 'naturally' by true- andfalse-keyed items.

TRIN and VRINResponse Aberrancy Assessment

An alternative to controlling (counter-)acquiescence is to measure it, so that problematic individual records can be identified. The true response inconsistency (TRIN) scale was constructed for that purpose. It is designed to detect the characteristic inconsistencies in response content that are the result of a (counter-) acquiescent style. TRIN is one of two MPQ inconsistency measures, the second being the variable-response inconsistency (VRIN) scale (for a discussion of TRIN and VRIN and of inconsistencyassessment generally, see Tellegen, 1988

N & E

Murray Needs

Murray, H. A. (1938). Explorations in Personality. New York: Oxford University Press

http://murray.harvard.edu/

Henry Murray Research Center at Harvard University

Murray's Psychogenic Needs

Abasement To surrender and submit to others, accept blame and punishment. To enjoy pain and misfortune.

Achievement To accomplish difficult tasks, overcoming obstacles and becoming expert.

Affiliation To be close and loyal to another person, pleasing them and winning their friendship and attention

.

Aggression To forcefully overcome an opponent, controlling, taking revenge or punishing them.

Autonomy To break free from constraints, resisting coercion and dominating authority. To be irresponsible and independent.

Counteraction To make up for failure by trying again, seeking pridefully to overcome obstacles.

Defendance To defend oneself against attack or blame, hiding any failure of the self.

Deference To admire a superior person, praising them and yielding to them and following their rules.

Dominance To control one's environment, controlling other people through command or subtle persuasion.

Exhibition To impress others through one's actions and words, even if these are shocking.

Harm avoidance To escape or avoid pain, injury and death.

Infavoidance To avoid being humiliated or embarrassed.

Nurturance To help the helpless, feeding them and keeping them from danger.

Order To make things clean, neat and tidy.

Play To have fun, laugh and relax, enjoying oneself.

Rejection To separate oneself from a negatively viewed object or person, excluding or abandoning

Sentience To seek out and enjoy sensual experiences.

Sex To form relationship that lead to sexual intercourse.

Succourance To have one's needs satisfied by someone or something. Includes being loved, nursed, helped, forgiven and consoled.

Understanding To be curious, ask questions and find answers.

Gordon Allport

Father of the Lexical Hypothesis

Raymond Cattell

16PF

16 Personality Factors

Factor analysis of the “personality sphere”

Douglas N JacksonPersonality Research Form

Based on Murray Needs

Timothy Leary

The Interpersonal Diagnosis of Personality. Leary, Timothy. 1957.