Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)

1. Introduction

According to the American Psychiatric Association, Personality refers to the enduring characteristics
and behaviour that comprise a person's unique adjustment to life , including major traits, interests ,
drives , values , self-concept , abilities and emotional patterns.

According to R.B. Cattell - "Personality is that which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a
given situation."

According to Allport - "Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those
psychological systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment."

Cattell’s 16PF measures the 16 primary factors of personality and 4 secondary dimensions that are
Introversion vs Extraversion, Low anxiety vs High Anxiety, Emotionality vs Tough Poise,
Subduedness vs Independence and Low Control vs High Control.

2. Authors and details of Publication

It was constructed by Raymond B. Cattell and Herbert W. Eber
First published in 1949 and there have been four major revisions, the most recent being the 16PF fifth
edition (Cattell, R.B. et al., 1993)

3. Traits/ Dimensions

Factor A
Cool, Reserved, Impersonal, Detached, Formal, Aloof
People who score low (Sten of 1 to 3) on Factor A tend to be stiff, cool, sceptical, 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.

Vs
Warm, Outgoing, Kindly, Easygoing, Participating, Likes People
People who score high (Sten of 8 to 10) on Factor A tend to be good natured, 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, and better able to remember names of
people.
Factor B
Concrete-thinking, Less Intelligent
The person scoring low on Factor B tends to be slow to learn and grasp, dull and 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.
Vs
Abstract-thinking, More Intelligent, Bright
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.

Factor C
Affected by Feelings, Emotionally Less Stable, Easily Annoyed
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.
Vs
Emotionally Stable, Mature, Faces Reality, Calm
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.

Factor E
Submissive, Humble, Mild, Easily Led, Accommodating
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.
Vs

Dominant, Assertive, Aggressive, Stubborn, Competitive, Bossy

Individuals scoring high on Factor E are assertive, self-assured and independent-minded. They tend to
be austere, a law unto themselves, hostile or extrapunitive, authoritarian (managing others) and
disregarding of authority.

Factor F
Sober, Restrained, Prudent, Taciturn, Serious
Low scores 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.
Vs
Enthusiastic, Spontaneous, Heedless, Expressive, Cheerful
High scores 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.

Factor G
Expedient, Disregards Rules, Self-indulgent
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.
Vs
Conscientious, Conforming, Moralistic, Staid, Rule-bound
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 + .

Factor H
Shy , threat - sensitive , timid , hesitant , intimidated
The person who scores low on factor H tends to be shy and give affective, cognitive, behavioural, and
physiological responses towards threatening ( likely to cause damage or danger ) stimuli , information
or cues . They tend to be timid , hesitant and intimidated.
Vs
Bold , venturesome , uninhibited , can take stress
Persons who score high on factor H are bold , desire to seek new experiences , take chances , tolerate
uncertainty , not restrained or hold back , not afraid to act however he or she wishes and can take stress

Factor I

Tough-minded , self-reliant , no nonsense , rough , realistic

Persons with low scores on factor I tend to be tough-minded , have the ability to do things and make
decisions on their own, being free from societal influences . They are rough ( low levels of compassion
and high levels of aggression in social settings ) and realistic .
Vs
Tender minded , sensitive , overprotected , intuitive , refined
Persons with high scores on factor I have attitudes and judgements which are determined by emotion.
They are overprotected and intuitive ( understand or know something without any direct evidence or
reasoning process )

Factor L
Trusting , accepting conditions , easy to get on with
Persons with low scores on factor L tend to be trusting , accepting conditions ( letting negative
experiences simply exist in their life without trying to change , avoid or deny them ) and easy to get on
with .
Vs
Suspicious , hard to fool , distrustful , sceptical
Persons with high scores on factor L tend to be suspicious , unwilling or unable to trust / doubt and
have an attitude of questioning , disbelief , or doubt .

Factor M
Practical , concerned with "down to earth" issues , steady
Persons with low scores on factor M tend to be more flexible and adaptable to reality than to ideas or
desires . They are concerned with practical things and actions , rather than with abstract theories and
are steady.
Vs
Imaginative , absent minded , absorbed in thought , impractical
Persons with high scores on factor M tend to be imaginative , preoccupied with one's own thoughts and
not with external conditions , incapable of dealing with practical matters .

Factor N
Forthright , unpretentious , open , genuine , artless
Persons with low scores on factor N tend to be direct / honest , clear in behaviour and speech and they
don't attempt to impress others with an appearance of greater importance than is actually possessed .
They are genuine.
Vs
Shrewd , polished , socially aware , diplomatic , calculating
Persons with high scores on factor N tend to be shrewd ( able to understand and judge a situation
quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage ) , polished , diplomatic and calculating.

Factor O
Self assured, Secure, Feels free of guilt, untrouble, self-satisfied
Persons with low scores on Factor O tend to be unruffled and to have unshakeable nerves. They have a
mature, unanxious confidence in themselves and their capacity to deal with things. They can, however,
be secure to the point of being insensitive to the feedback of others.
Vs
Apprehensive, self-blaming, guilt-prone, insecure, worrying
Persons with high scores on Factor O 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 O score is very common in clinical groups of
all types.

Factor Q1
Conservative, Respecting Traditional Ideas
Low scores on Factor Q1 are confident in what they have been taught to believe and accept the “tried
and true”, even 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, care
more conservative in religion and politics, and tend not to be interested in analytical, intellectual,
thought.
Vs
Experimenting, liberal,critical, open to change
High scores on Factor Q1 tend to be interested in intellectual matters and to have doubts on
fundamental issues. They are sceptical and inquiring regarding ideas either old or new. Usually they are
more well-informed, less inclined to moralise, more inclined to experiment in life generally, and more
tolerant of inconvenience and change.

Factor Q2
Group oriented, a “Joiner” and sound follower, listen to others
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
support.
Vs
Self-sufficient, resourceful, prefers on decisions
Individuals who score high on Factor Q2 are temporarily independent, accustomed to going their own
way, making decisions and taking action on their own, but are not necessarily dominant in their
relations with others; in fact ; they would be hesitant to ask others for help. They do not dislike people,
but simply do not need their agreement or support.

Factor Q3
Undisciplined, Self-Conflict, Lax, Careless of Social Rules
Individuals who score low on Factor Q3 will not be bothered with control and have little regard for
social demands. They are impetuous and not overly considerate, careful or painstaking. They may feel
maladjusted and many maladjustments.
Vs
Following self image, socially precise, compulsive
Individuals who score high on Factor Q3 tend to have strong control of their emotions and general
behaviour or inclined to be socially aware and careful, and evidence of what is commonly termed as
“self respect” and high regard for social reputation. They sometimes tend, however, to be perfectionist
and obstinate. Effective leaders, and some paranoids are high on Q3.

Factor Q4
Relaxed, Tranquil, Composed, Has Low Drive, Unfrustrated
Individuals who score low on Factor Q4 tend to be sedate, relaxed, composed, and satisfied (not
frustrated). In some situations, their over satisfaction can lead to laziness and low performance, in the
sense that low motivation produces little trial and error.

Vs
Tense, Frustrated, Overwrought, Has High Drive
Individuals who score high on Factor Q4 tend to be tense, restless, fretful, impatient, and hard driving.
They are often fatigued, but unable to remain inactive. Their frustration represents an excess of
stimulated, but undischarged, drive. Ex- Extremely high tension level may disrupt school and work
performance.

4. Construction of the test :

I. Arrangement of Questions: 10 to 13 items are provided for each scale in form A and form B.
The questions are arranged in a roughly cyclic order determined by a plan to give maximum
convenience in hand scoring situations and to ensure variety and interest for the participant.
II. Method of answering: 3 alternative answers were provided for each of the questions, since
the two alternative “forced choice" situation, forbidding any “middle-of- the-
road” compromise, tends to force a distorted distribution and may produce aversion to the test on the
part of the participant.
III. Avoidance of Motivational Distortion Effects: Items have been chosen to be as “neutral” in
value as possible, to emphasise both desirable and undesirable aspects at both ends of each factor scale.
Furthermore, items which are not “face valid” i.e which do not obviously refer to the trait but which
correlationally are known to measure it, have been chosen wherever possible, as a “built in” protection
against distortion. If time is taken to make sure that the participants understand the importance of
careful and truthful response, a long step towards achieving good measures has been taken.
a. Validity and Reliability of the Test :

Reliability often refers to consistency of scores obtained by the same persons when retested.
Validity provides a check on how well the test fulfils its function.

Moderate to good reliability ratings have been reported for the 16PF. Based on a sample of 10,261
individuals, Internal consistency reliabilities are on average 0.76 for the primary scales and a range of
0.68 to 0.87 for all 16 scales.
Because the 16PF dimensions were developed through factor analysis, construct validity is provided by
studies that confirm its factor structure.

5. Materials Required
● 16 PF Question booklet
● 16PF Answer sheet
● Scoring stencil
● 16PF Manual
● Stationery

6. Plan
The test is given to the participant and they are told to finish the test as quickly as they can. The
participant was asked to not change the options after selecting an option. No cues were given to the
participant.

7.Instructions
● Inside this booklet are some questions to see what attitude is an interest you have.
● There are no right and wrong answers because everyone has the right to their own views .
● To be able to get the best advice from your results should answer them exactly and truly.
● Write your name and all other information asked for on the top line of the answer sheet.
● First you should answer the four sample questions below so that you can see weather you
need to ask anything before starting .
● Although you are to read the questions in this booklet you must record your answers on
the answer sheet.
● There are 3 possible answers to each question.
● Read the following examples and mark your answers at the top of your answer sheet
where it says "examples".
● Fill in the left hand box if your answer choice is the " a" answer, in the middle box if your
answer choice is the "b"answer , and in the right hand box if you choose the "c" answer.

When you answer, keep these four points in mind.

1. You are asked not to spend time pondering. Give the first, natural answer as it comes to you.
Of course, the questions are too short to give you all the particulars you would sometimes like to
have. Give the best answer you can at a rate not slower than five or six a minute. You should
finish in a little more than half an hour.
2. Try not to fall back on the middle, "uncertain" answers except when the answer at either end
is really impossible for you-perhaps once every four or five questions
 3. Be sure not to skip anything, but answer every question, somehow. Some may not apply to
you very well, but give your best guess. Some may seem personal, but remember that the answer
sheets are kept confidential and cannot be scored without a special stencil key. Answers to
particular questions are not inspected.
4. Answer as honestly as possible what is true of you. Do not merely mark what seems "theright
thing to say" to impress the examiner.

8. Procedure
The participant was seated comfortably and a rapport was built. After the participant was comfortable a
questionnaire along with the answer sheet was given to the participant. The participant was then asked
to read the instructions on the test booklet and they were also explained orally till they understood the
process. They were asked to mark the answers on a separate answer sheet provided. They were asked to
mark the answer as quickly as they could withouting pondering over any statement for too long.

9. Precautions
I. Care was taken to ensure that the participant did not concentrate on a single item for a long
duration.
II. It ensured that no question was left unanswered.
III. The participant was asked not to mark anything on the test booklet.
IV. Distractions and disturbances were minimised.

Results: The results are tabulated in Table:

Interpretation: Based on the results it can be interpreted that

10.. Application Value

Clinicians can use 16PF results to identify effective strategies for establishing a working alliance, to
develop a therapeutic plan, and to select effective therapeutic interventions or modes of treatment. It
can also be used within other areas of psychology, such as career and occupational selection.

The multi - purposed instrument 16PF is used as a career evaluation tool , for couples counselling and
personality assessment . 16PF is used by psychologists and counsellors to provide job occupations that
best fit the individual's characteristics .

.References
Cattell, R.B. Eber, H.W. (1999) The 16PF Select Manual. Champaign, IL: Institute for
Personality and Ability Testing
Boyle, G. J., Matthews, G., & Saklofske, D. H. (2008). The SAGE Handbook of Personality
Theory and Assessment: Volume 2 — Personality Measurement and Testing. In SAGE
Publications Ltd eBooks (Vol. 2, pp.135-140).