This article was downloaded by: [University of New Hampshire] On: 18 February 2015, At: 06:42 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
Journal of Personality Assessment Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/hjpa20
Adjective Correlates for Women on the CPI Scales: A Replication Robert J. Gregory & Lin M. Morris Published online: 10 Jun 2010.
To cite this article: Robert J. Gregory & Lin M. Morris (1978) Adjective Correlates for Women on the CPI Scales: A Replication, Journal of Personality Assessment, 42:3, 258-264, DOI: 10.1207/ s15327752jpa4203_6 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4203_6
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
.Journal of' PersonulirjxAssessmenr. 1978.42, 3
Adjective Correlates for Women on the CPI Scales: A Replication ROBERT J . GREGORY and LIN M . MORRIS l!niversitv of Idaho
Downloaded by [University of New Hampshire] at 06:42 18 February 2015
Summarl,: In a replication of a ten-year-old study by Gough, peer-rated adject~vesfrom the Adjective Check List were correlated with scores on the 18 standard scales of the Californ~a Psychological Inventory (CPI) for 95 college sorority members. For each scale, the tenmost positively and negatively correlated adjectives were selected for comparison with Gough's results. The absolute magnitude of the correlations, thequalitative content oftheadjectives. and the degree of correspondence with Gough's findings were used to assess the extent to which each CPI scale achieved its stated objective.
The interpretation of multi-scale personality tests provides a challenge for even the most experienced clinician or counselor. This is especially true for the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) which has 18 standard scales (Gough, 1969). To facilitate interpretation of the CPI, Gough (1968) has obtained adjectives descriptive of high and low scorers on each of the 18 scales by correlating peer ratings on 300 adjectives with scale scores for separate samples of males and females. The resulting adjective lists are featured in the interpreter's syllabus (Gough, 1968), a n appendix of the CPI Handbook (Megargee, 1972), and the CPI Manual (Gough, 1969). There can be little doubt that, directly orindirectly, these adjective lists play a prominent role in the clinical interpretation of the CPI. The purpose of thisstudy was toderive adjective correlates for a new sample of women on the 18 CPI scales. This replication of Gough (1968) was thought desirable for three reasons. First, since the original study involved an 18 x 300 correlation matrix, it is likely that some of the obtained correlations were spurious. Replication thus serves the purpose of determining which adjectives are reliably associated with high or low scale scores. The second justification is that at least ten years have passed since the original study, and it seems possible that social changes have altered the relationship between scale scores and peer rated personality characteristics. For example, it is conceivable that the women's movement
has caused women scoring high on the Femininity scale to be seen in a different light by their peers. Thus, replication serves as a means of checking for significant changes in the social stimulus value of high or low CPI scalescores. The third purpose of the study was to determine the absolute magnitude of the correlations between the peer-rated adjectives and the CPI scales. As noted by Megargee (1972, p. 124), it is a significant omission that Gough (1968) did not list the actual values of the correlations for his adjective lists. This makes it impossible to know whether the relationship between a CPI scale and a peer-rated adjective is strong or weak. In some cases. a listed "relationship" might be statistically indistinquishable from no relationship at all.
Method Subjecrs und Procedure The study was a direct replication of Gough (1968). Ninety-five members of four sororities at the University of Idaho served as subjects. Most were freshmen or sophomores; their ages ranged from 19 to 22 years. TheCPI was administered in groups of 20 to 25. Next, each subject listed seven of her sorority sisters who knew her well and five of these were randomly selected to rate her on the Adjective Check List (ACL, Gough & Heilbrun, 1965). The peer raters were informed that their evaluations would be kept confidential. The instructions for the ACL were modified to suit peer evaluation; each rater read the 300 ad.jectives, check-
R. J. GREGORY and L. M. MORRIS Table I
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Mean and Standard Deviation for for 95 College Sorority Members on the 18 Scales of the CPI
ing those adjectives which were descriptive of the subject, and double checking adjectives felt to be especially descriptive. Data Analysis For each subject, the experimenter assigned one point for a single check and two points for a double check for each of the 300 adjectives. Since there were five raters, this yielded a score between 0 and 10 for each adjective. Next the Pearson r was computed between each adjective score and each of the 18 standard CPI scale scores. This yielded an 18 x 300 correlation matrix. For each CPI scale the ten adjectives with thestrongest positive and negative correlations were identified and listed separately. Results and Discussion Each CPI profile was checked clinically for signs of random responding or dissimulation by examining scores on the three validity scales: Good Impression (Gi),'Well Being ( Wb),and Communality (Cm). There were no profiles where Gi exceeded a T score of 70. While Wb was below a T score of 30 in 11 cases, brief interviews indicated that this was the result of an overemphasis upon worries and problems rather than overt "fake bad" orientation. None of the students had a T score on Cm of 15 below, which is the cut-off suggested by Gough (1968) for identifying random or uninterpre-
table profiles. The average and standard deviation for each CPI scale are listed in Table 1. From the ten adjectives with the strongest positive and negative correlations, those which appear both in this research and Gough's are listed for each CPI scale in Table 2.1 The total number of correlations significant at the .Ol level dr better was 279. This was far in excess of the chance expectation of 54 (.01 X 18 X 300) and indicates that some of the variance in underlying personality traits is reflected in CPI scale scores. On the other hand, there was wide variability between CPI scales in the magnitude of the correlations, the apparent "appropriateness" of the correlated adjectives, and the degree of correspondence with Gough's (1968) findings. These points will be discussed briefly in a scale analysis. Dominance (Do). Dominant was, appropriately, the only positively correlated adjective common to thisstudy and Gough's. Shy, submissive, and cautious replicated for negative correlations. The content of these adjectives and the magnitude of their correlations tend to confirm the stated purpose of the Do scale: "To assess factors of leadership ability, dominance, persistence, and social initiative." 1 The entire list of correlated adjectives can be obtained by writing t o the first author.
260
Adjective Correlates,for Women on the C'PI
Table 2 Positively and Negatively Correlated Adjectives Which Replicate Gough Dominance Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
1. dominant
1. shy 2. submissive 3. cautious
r
Capacity for Status r
Sociability
.3 1 1. dominant .34 1. versatile 2. clear-thinking .26 2. sociable -.39 I . shy -.32 1. shy -.34 2. meek -.28 2. meek -.30 3. timid -.28 3 , timid 4. quiet
r .33 .32
-.10 -.39 -.32 -.3 1
I
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Social Presence Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
1. versatile 2. witty 3. adventurous 1. timid 2. submissive 3. sensitive
r
Self Acceptance
.34 1. dominant .29 .29 -.45 1. shy -.38 -.34 Socialization
Responsibility
r
Positive Correlations
1. reasonable 2. conscientious
.3 1 1. cautious .31 2. reasonable 3. reliable
Negative Correlations
I. lazy Tolerance
Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
-.29 1. peculiar 2. reckless r
Good Impression
1. mature .25 1. peaceable 2. calm .25 2. patient 3. self-controlled .19 1. pessimistic 2. moody Achievement Via Conformance
r
Achievement Via Independence
r
Well Being
.35 1. calm
I'
26
-.35
r
Self Control
r
.37 1. calm .34 .32 2. peaceable .3 1 .3 1 3. patient .3 1 4. self-controlled 2 1 -.26 -24 r
.33 .20 -.3 1 1. indifferent -.23 r
Intellectual Efficiency
-20
r
1. mature .26 1. clear thinking .3S 2. intelligent .23 -.39 1. immature -.24 I . pessimistic 2. foolish -.21 2. nervous -.3b Continued next page. A comparison of Gough's findings and gressive, bossy, conceited, confident, dethose of the current study revealed dra- manding, forceful, quick, strong, and matic changes in the qualitative nature talkative. In short, Gough found that of the positively correlated adjectives. high Do women tended to be characterIn addition t o dominant, Gough's posi- ized in rather distinctly unfavorable tively correlated adjectives included ag- terms by their peers (a veritable stereo-.
Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
R. J. GREGORY and L. M. MORRlS Table 2 (cont'd)
I Positive Correlations
--
-
Psychological Mindedness
r
1. independent 2. self-confident 3. capable 4. ingenious
.30 .25 .23 .2 1
Flexibility
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Negative Correlations type of the unpleasantly dominant female). The current study lends no support to a negative conception of high dominance in women. (Ten most positively correlated adjectives: intelligent, dominant, versatile, enterprising, seljr confident, ambitious, determined, clever, courageous, mature.) An analysis and interpretation of this apparent change in the meaning of high dominance in women is offered in Morris & Gregory (Note 1). Capacity for status (Cs). This scale "attempts to measure the personal qualities and attributes which underlie and lead to status."The replicated adjectives with positive correlations (versatile, clear-thinking) are appropriate for this purpose, while many of the more highly correlated but new adjectives (methodical, capable, and particularly ambitious) corroborate that high scores on Cs are related to appropriate personality traits. The replicated adjectives with high negative correlations, shy, meek, and timid, suggest a factor of general maladjustment rather than any specific lack of capacity for status. Sociability (Sy). The Syscaleattempts to "identify persons of outgoing, sociable, participative temperament." With dominant, and sociable as replicated correlates, and the new adjective outspoken appearing at the top of the list with a moderately strong correlation of -38, it is clear the Syscale isappropriately named. Low scores on Sy appearto reflect factors of introversion (with replicated adjectives, shy, meek, timid, and quiet) and general maladjustment. Social presence (Sp). The Sp scale is supposed to "assess factors such as poise, spontaneity, and self-confidence
r
I
Femininity
r
1. mature .22 2. self-controlled .21 1. touchy
-.27
in personal and social interaction." The most highly correlated adjective, versatile, which alsoappeared on Gough's list, is somewhat of a puzzle in this context. While this correlate is not inconsistent with the avowed purpose of the scale, it appears to indicate that a characteristic of "competence in many things" is also associated with high Sp scores. The other positively correlated adjectives, including Gough's witty and adventurous, and the new adjectives noisy, talkative, strong, dominant, aggressive, loud, and self confident, altogether portray a highly verbal form of social presence. Low scores on Sp showed the highest magnitude of relationship with the adjectives of all the scales on the CPI. Timid, submissive, sensitive, and cautious repeated their appearance as negatively correlated adjectives, while the remainder of the list, including silent and meek with correlations of -.49, substantiate a strong relationship between low scores on Sp and extreme unassertiveness and introversion. Self-acceptance (Sa). Self-acceptance showed only one replicated positive correlate, dominant, and one replicated negative correlate, shy. However, the remaining correlated adjectives showed relationships of moderately strong magnitudes, includingself-confident (r= .35) and meek (r = -.42). Moreover, the content of the adjectives was consistent with the avowed goal of this scale, to "assess factors such as sense of personal worth, self-acceptance, and capacity for independent thinking and action." Well-being (Wb). Wb was derived to discriminate individuals feigning neurosis from normals and psychiatric patients
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262
Adjective Correlates for Women on the C'PI
responding truthfully, that is, it was originally designed as a validity scale. Gough (1968) also notes that it can be used to "identify persons who minimize their worries and complaints, and who are relatively free from self-doubt and disillusionment." From a comparison of the magnitudes of the positive and negative correlations, it would appear that Wb does much better with the opposite of its stated purpose: that is, low scores on the Wb are quite strongly associated with lack of well-being while high scores are not strongly indicative of anything. Even though calm and mature appeared on both this list and Gough's, neithershows a correlation of high magnitude. Responsibility (Re). Re revealed very appropriate replications, with reasonable and conscientious on the positive side, and lazy on the negative. The remaining adjectives were generally highly appropriate for a scale which purports to "identify persons of conscientious, responsible, and dependable disposition and temperament." Socialization (So). The goal of the So scale is to "indicate the degree of social maturity, integrity, and rectitude which the individual has attained." All of the positively correlated adjectives indicate that this goal has been achieved including the three which repeat from Gough's analysis: cautious, reasonable, and reliable. The negatively correlated adjectives showed a generally weak degree of relationship. This includes the two replicated adjectives, peculiar and reckless. Self-control (Sc). The Sc scale received a rather strong endorsement by way of the four replicated adjectives: calm, peacable, patient, and self-controlled. These adjectives constitute an excellent description of the selfcontrolled person. Gough's stated goal was to "assess the degree and adequacy of self-regulation and selfcontrol and freedom from impulsivity and self-centeredness." With respect to the meaning of high scores, this goal appears to have been met. On the other hand, it is implicit in the purposes of the Sc scale that low scores should beassociated with impulsiveness and self-centeredness, an expectation that is not borne out by the ten most negatively correlated adjectives.
These adjectives reflect a wide variety of maladjustment, but nowhere in the list is there any indication of impulsivity or self-centeredness. Tolerance (To). Even though threeadjectives repeated from Gough's analysis (mature, calm, and self-controlled) the magnitude of all the positive correlations was sufficiently low that little meaning can be attached to high scores on the To scale. With this sample, the stated purpose of identifying "persons with permissive, accepting, and nonjudgmental social beliefs and attitudes" appears not to have been fulfilled. Low scores on To, while not related to intolerance per se, appear to reflect a wide gsmut of traits indicative of maladjustment. Good impression (Gi). The original purpose of the Gi scale was to identify dissimulated test results, although the scale is also meant to "identify persons capable of creating a favorable impression, and who are concerned about how others react to them." Considering that only one positively correlated and one negatively correlated adjective reached the .O1level of statistical significance and that neither of them is particularly appropriate for the aims of the scale (peaceable, and pessimistic, respectively), it would appear that Giis not a highly successful personality scale. On the other hand, the appearance of peaceable ( r = .33) and pessimistic (r = -.3 1) replicates Gough, suggesting that these particular peer-rated traits are reliably if only moderately associated with high scores on Gi. Communality (Cm). This is a validity scale designed to detect protocols on which the respondent has answered in a random fashion. In light of the purpose of the scale, it is neither surprising nor disappointing that none of the adjectives, positively or negatively correlated, achieved statistically meaningful levels of association @ < .01). Achievement via confbrmance (Ar). This scale attempts to "identify those factors of interest and motivation which facilitate achievement in any setting where conformance is a positive factor." The term "conformance" was carefully chosen to reflect an appreciation of structure
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R. J. GREGORY and L. M. MORRlS and organization, and to avoid the negative connotations of "conformity." Ac showed moderately strong associations with a large number of adjectives on both the positive and negative side, although none repeated from Gough's analysis. Among the positive correlations were mature, clear-thinking, selfcontrolled, steady, and foresighted, all traits which would appear to facilitate achievement in settings where conformance is desirable. The adjectives with negative correlations were quite varied in their content, apparently reflecting diffuse sorts of maladjustment. A possible exception is flirtatious, which does not seem to have the same degree of negative connotation (if any at all) as the remainder of the list. Achievement via independence (Ai). This scale was designed to "identify those factors of interest and motivation which facilitate achievement in any setting where autonomy and independence are positive behaviors." Even though two positively correlated and two negatively correlated adjectives replicate from Gough's analysis (mature, intelligent, and immature, foolish, respectively) none of them achieved very high magnitudes of relationship. Apparently, this scale does not fulfill its stated aim in this sample, although the appearance of determined at the top of the list (r= .27) is promising. The moderately high negative relationships for flirtatious (r = -.38) and sexy (r = -.35)are unexpected but nonetheless of potential value. Apparently, low scores on A i are moderately related to these traits. Intellectual efficiency (Ie). For a scale which was designed to "indicate the degree of personal and intellectual efficiency which the individual has attained" it is gratifying to observe that clear-thinking appears again as a positive correlate ( r = .35). In fact, the remaining ~ositivelv correlated adjectives, all of w6idh reached the .O1 level of statistical significance, offer strong confirmation that Ie measures what it purports to measure, at least at the high end of the scale. The ten negatively correlated adjectives showed quite strong relationships (-.29 t o -.41), although it would be diffi-
cult to summarize their diverse content. Pessimistic and nervous replicated from Gough's study. Psychological mindedness (Py). The Py scale showed four replicated positive correlates, namely independent, selfconfident, capable, and ingenious, although only the first of these reached the .O1 level of significance. The content of the positive correlates as well as their generally low levels of relationship indicates that Py did not achieve its stated aim of measuring "the degree t o which the individual is interested in, and responsive to, the inner needs, motives, and experiences of others." None of the negative correlates were replications of Gough, although the moderately strong relationship forfickle (r = -.35) suggests that low scores on P.v reflect this characteristic. Flexibility (Fx). The Fx scale is supposed to "indicate the degree of flexibility and adaptability of a person's thinking and social behavior." Considering that there were no replications from Gough's analysis and that the magnitude of the correlations is almost uniformly negligible, it is clear that Fx is not a very useful scale, at least with this kind of sample. Femininity (Fe). This scale was designed to "assess the masculinity or femininity of interests" with high scores indicating more feminine interests, low scores more masculine. While mature and self-controlled replicated as positive correlates, the magnitudes of the relationships (r= .22, and .21, respectively) were not very impressive. On the other hand, the four adjectives with the most positive correlations (.31 to 3 4 ) were calm, peaceable, mild, and patient, all of which are consistent with traditional conceptions of femininity. Low scores on Fe wereassociated with such peer-ratings as moody, pessimistic, bitter, and complicated. Thus, with feminine respondents low scores on Fe reflect maladjustment, and not a masculine interest pattern. Test interpreters would be well advised not to simplistically interpret Fe as a bi-polar femininity-masculinity scale. A number of general conclusions can
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264
Adjective Correlatesfor Women on the C'PI
be derived which substantiate the value of replicating research on the correlates of CPI scales. First, with a few exceptions noted above, the current results serve to confirm the concurrent validity of the CPI scales. Most of the scales showed moderately strong relationships with adjectives which were, at a minimum, consistent with the stated purpose of the scale. In some cases, the positively correlated adjectives were not only highly appropriate, but appeared in Gough's study as well, thereby strongly reinforcing the validity of the relationship. A second general conclusion is that low scores on the CPI scalesappearto reflect general maladjustment rather than indicating the polar opposite of high scores. Time and again adjectives such as shy, meek, timid, bitter, and pessimistic appear as high and negative correlates of CPI scales. This should serve as a warning to test interpreters that a low CPI scale score should not be interpreted merely as indicatingthe oppositeofwhat a high scale score purports to measure.
Reference Note 1 . Morris, L. M., & Gregory, R. J. Adjective correlates of the CPI Dominancescale for women: Evidence o f a change in desirability. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, 1977. References Gough, H. G. Aninterpreter's syllabusfortheCalifornia Psychological Inventory. In P. McReynolds (Ed.), Advances in ps.~chologicalassessment, Vot. I . Palo Alto. Ca: Science and Behavior Books, 1968. Gough, H. G. Manual for the California Ps.vchological Inventory (rev. ed.). Palo Alto, Ca: Consulting Psychologists Press. 1969. Gough, H. G . , &Heilbrun, A. TheA4ective Check List manual. Palo Alto. Ca: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1965. Megargee, E. The Calgornia P s ~ h o l o g i c ahl v e n lory handbook. San Francisco. Ca: Jossey-Bass. 1972. Robert .I. Gregory, PhD Department of Psychology University of ldaho Moscow, ldaho 83843 Received: August 7, 1977 Revised: September 30, 1977
Journal of Personality Assessment Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/hjpa20
Adjective Correlates for Women on the CPI Scales: A Replication Robert J. Gregory & Lin M. Morris Published online: 10 Jun 2010.
To cite this article: Robert J. Gregory & Lin M. Morris (1978) Adjective Correlates for Women on the CPI Scales: A Replication, Journal of Personality Assessment, 42:3, 258-264, DOI: 10.1207/ s15327752jpa4203_6 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4203_6
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
.Journal of' PersonulirjxAssessmenr. 1978.42, 3
Adjective Correlates for Women on the CPI Scales: A Replication ROBERT J . GREGORY and LIN M . MORRIS l!niversitv of Idaho
Downloaded by [University of New Hampshire] at 06:42 18 February 2015
Summarl,: In a replication of a ten-year-old study by Gough, peer-rated adject~vesfrom the Adjective Check List were correlated with scores on the 18 standard scales of the Californ~a Psychological Inventory (CPI) for 95 college sorority members. For each scale, the tenmost positively and negatively correlated adjectives were selected for comparison with Gough's results. The absolute magnitude of the correlations, thequalitative content oftheadjectives. and the degree of correspondence with Gough's findings were used to assess the extent to which each CPI scale achieved its stated objective.
The interpretation of multi-scale personality tests provides a challenge for even the most experienced clinician or counselor. This is especially true for the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) which has 18 standard scales (Gough, 1969). To facilitate interpretation of the CPI, Gough (1968) has obtained adjectives descriptive of high and low scorers on each of the 18 scales by correlating peer ratings on 300 adjectives with scale scores for separate samples of males and females. The resulting adjective lists are featured in the interpreter's syllabus (Gough, 1968), a n appendix of the CPI Handbook (Megargee, 1972), and the CPI Manual (Gough, 1969). There can be little doubt that, directly orindirectly, these adjective lists play a prominent role in the clinical interpretation of the CPI. The purpose of thisstudy was toderive adjective correlates for a new sample of women on the 18 CPI scales. This replication of Gough (1968) was thought desirable for three reasons. First, since the original study involved an 18 x 300 correlation matrix, it is likely that some of the obtained correlations were spurious. Replication thus serves the purpose of determining which adjectives are reliably associated with high or low scale scores. The second justification is that at least ten years have passed since the original study, and it seems possible that social changes have altered the relationship between scale scores and peer rated personality characteristics. For example, it is conceivable that the women's movement
has caused women scoring high on the Femininity scale to be seen in a different light by their peers. Thus, replication serves as a means of checking for significant changes in the social stimulus value of high or low CPI scalescores. The third purpose of the study was to determine the absolute magnitude of the correlations between the peer-rated adjectives and the CPI scales. As noted by Megargee (1972, p. 124), it is a significant omission that Gough (1968) did not list the actual values of the correlations for his adjective lists. This makes it impossible to know whether the relationship between a CPI scale and a peer-rated adjective is strong or weak. In some cases. a listed "relationship" might be statistically indistinquishable from no relationship at all.
Method Subjecrs und Procedure The study was a direct replication of Gough (1968). Ninety-five members of four sororities at the University of Idaho served as subjects. Most were freshmen or sophomores; their ages ranged from 19 to 22 years. TheCPI was administered in groups of 20 to 25. Next, each subject listed seven of her sorority sisters who knew her well and five of these were randomly selected to rate her on the Adjective Check List (ACL, Gough & Heilbrun, 1965). The peer raters were informed that their evaluations would be kept confidential. The instructions for the ACL were modified to suit peer evaluation; each rater read the 300 ad.jectives, check-
R. J. GREGORY and L. M. MORRIS Table I
Downloaded by [University of New Hampshire] at 06:42 18 February 2015
Mean and Standard Deviation for for 95 College Sorority Members on the 18 Scales of the CPI
ing those adjectives which were descriptive of the subject, and double checking adjectives felt to be especially descriptive. Data Analysis For each subject, the experimenter assigned one point for a single check and two points for a double check for each of the 300 adjectives. Since there were five raters, this yielded a score between 0 and 10 for each adjective. Next the Pearson r was computed between each adjective score and each of the 18 standard CPI scale scores. This yielded an 18 x 300 correlation matrix. For each CPI scale the ten adjectives with thestrongest positive and negative correlations were identified and listed separately. Results and Discussion Each CPI profile was checked clinically for signs of random responding or dissimulation by examining scores on the three validity scales: Good Impression (Gi),'Well Being ( Wb),and Communality (Cm). There were no profiles where Gi exceeded a T score of 70. While Wb was below a T score of 30 in 11 cases, brief interviews indicated that this was the result of an overemphasis upon worries and problems rather than overt "fake bad" orientation. None of the students had a T score on Cm of 15 below, which is the cut-off suggested by Gough (1968) for identifying random or uninterpre-
table profiles. The average and standard deviation for each CPI scale are listed in Table 1. From the ten adjectives with the strongest positive and negative correlations, those which appear both in this research and Gough's are listed for each CPI scale in Table 2.1 The total number of correlations significant at the .Ol level dr better was 279. This was far in excess of the chance expectation of 54 (.01 X 18 X 300) and indicates that some of the variance in underlying personality traits is reflected in CPI scale scores. On the other hand, there was wide variability between CPI scales in the magnitude of the correlations, the apparent "appropriateness" of the correlated adjectives, and the degree of correspondence with Gough's (1968) findings. These points will be discussed briefly in a scale analysis. Dominance (Do). Dominant was, appropriately, the only positively correlated adjective common to thisstudy and Gough's. Shy, submissive, and cautious replicated for negative correlations. The content of these adjectives and the magnitude of their correlations tend to confirm the stated purpose of the Do scale: "To assess factors of leadership ability, dominance, persistence, and social initiative." 1 The entire list of correlated adjectives can be obtained by writing t o the first author.
260
Adjective Correlates,for Women on the C'PI
Table 2 Positively and Negatively Correlated Adjectives Which Replicate Gough Dominance Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
1. dominant
1. shy 2. submissive 3. cautious
r
Capacity for Status r
Sociability
.3 1 1. dominant .34 1. versatile 2. clear-thinking .26 2. sociable -.39 I . shy -.32 1. shy -.34 2. meek -.28 2. meek -.30 3. timid -.28 3 , timid 4. quiet
r .33 .32
-.10 -.39 -.32 -.3 1
I
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Social Presence Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
1. versatile 2. witty 3. adventurous 1. timid 2. submissive 3. sensitive
r
Self Acceptance
.34 1. dominant .29 .29 -.45 1. shy -.38 -.34 Socialization
Responsibility
r
Positive Correlations
1. reasonable 2. conscientious
.3 1 1. cautious .31 2. reasonable 3. reliable
Negative Correlations
I. lazy Tolerance
Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
-.29 1. peculiar 2. reckless r
Good Impression
1. mature .25 1. peaceable 2. calm .25 2. patient 3. self-controlled .19 1. pessimistic 2. moody Achievement Via Conformance
r
Achievement Via Independence
r
Well Being
.35 1. calm
I'
26
-.35
r
Self Control
r
.37 1. calm .34 .32 2. peaceable .3 1 .3 1 3. patient .3 1 4. self-controlled 2 1 -.26 -24 r
.33 .20 -.3 1 1. indifferent -.23 r
Intellectual Efficiency
-20
r
1. mature .26 1. clear thinking .3S 2. intelligent .23 -.39 1. immature -.24 I . pessimistic 2. foolish -.21 2. nervous -.3b Continued next page. A comparison of Gough's findings and gressive, bossy, conceited, confident, dethose of the current study revealed dra- manding, forceful, quick, strong, and matic changes in the qualitative nature talkative. In short, Gough found that of the positively correlated adjectives. high Do women tended to be characterIn addition t o dominant, Gough's posi- ized in rather distinctly unfavorable tively correlated adjectives included ag- terms by their peers (a veritable stereo-.
Positive Correlations Negative Correlations
R. J. GREGORY and L. M. MORRlS Table 2 (cont'd)
I Positive Correlations
--
-
Psychological Mindedness
r
1. independent 2. self-confident 3. capable 4. ingenious
.30 .25 .23 .2 1
Flexibility
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Negative Correlations type of the unpleasantly dominant female). The current study lends no support to a negative conception of high dominance in women. (Ten most positively correlated adjectives: intelligent, dominant, versatile, enterprising, seljr confident, ambitious, determined, clever, courageous, mature.) An analysis and interpretation of this apparent change in the meaning of high dominance in women is offered in Morris & Gregory (Note 1). Capacity for status (Cs). This scale "attempts to measure the personal qualities and attributes which underlie and lead to status."The replicated adjectives with positive correlations (versatile, clear-thinking) are appropriate for this purpose, while many of the more highly correlated but new adjectives (methodical, capable, and particularly ambitious) corroborate that high scores on Cs are related to appropriate personality traits. The replicated adjectives with high negative correlations, shy, meek, and timid, suggest a factor of general maladjustment rather than any specific lack of capacity for status. Sociability (Sy). The Syscaleattempts to "identify persons of outgoing, sociable, participative temperament." With dominant, and sociable as replicated correlates, and the new adjective outspoken appearing at the top of the list with a moderately strong correlation of -38, it is clear the Syscale isappropriately named. Low scores on Sy appearto reflect factors of introversion (with replicated adjectives, shy, meek, timid, and quiet) and general maladjustment. Social presence (Sp). The Sp scale is supposed to "assess factors such as poise, spontaneity, and self-confidence
r
I
Femininity
r
1. mature .22 2. self-controlled .21 1. touchy
-.27
in personal and social interaction." The most highly correlated adjective, versatile, which alsoappeared on Gough's list, is somewhat of a puzzle in this context. While this correlate is not inconsistent with the avowed purpose of the scale, it appears to indicate that a characteristic of "competence in many things" is also associated with high Sp scores. The other positively correlated adjectives, including Gough's witty and adventurous, and the new adjectives noisy, talkative, strong, dominant, aggressive, loud, and self confident, altogether portray a highly verbal form of social presence. Low scores on Sp showed the highest magnitude of relationship with the adjectives of all the scales on the CPI. Timid, submissive, sensitive, and cautious repeated their appearance as negatively correlated adjectives, while the remainder of the list, including silent and meek with correlations of -.49, substantiate a strong relationship between low scores on Sp and extreme unassertiveness and introversion. Self-acceptance (Sa). Self-acceptance showed only one replicated positive correlate, dominant, and one replicated negative correlate, shy. However, the remaining correlated adjectives showed relationships of moderately strong magnitudes, includingself-confident (r= .35) and meek (r = -.42). Moreover, the content of the adjectives was consistent with the avowed goal of this scale, to "assess factors such as sense of personal worth, self-acceptance, and capacity for independent thinking and action." Well-being (Wb). Wb was derived to discriminate individuals feigning neurosis from normals and psychiatric patients
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Adjective Correlates for Women on the C'PI
responding truthfully, that is, it was originally designed as a validity scale. Gough (1968) also notes that it can be used to "identify persons who minimize their worries and complaints, and who are relatively free from self-doubt and disillusionment." From a comparison of the magnitudes of the positive and negative correlations, it would appear that Wb does much better with the opposite of its stated purpose: that is, low scores on the Wb are quite strongly associated with lack of well-being while high scores are not strongly indicative of anything. Even though calm and mature appeared on both this list and Gough's, neithershows a correlation of high magnitude. Responsibility (Re). Re revealed very appropriate replications, with reasonable and conscientious on the positive side, and lazy on the negative. The remaining adjectives were generally highly appropriate for a scale which purports to "identify persons of conscientious, responsible, and dependable disposition and temperament." Socialization (So). The goal of the So scale is to "indicate the degree of social maturity, integrity, and rectitude which the individual has attained." All of the positively correlated adjectives indicate that this goal has been achieved including the three which repeat from Gough's analysis: cautious, reasonable, and reliable. The negatively correlated adjectives showed a generally weak degree of relationship. This includes the two replicated adjectives, peculiar and reckless. Self-control (Sc). The Sc scale received a rather strong endorsement by way of the four replicated adjectives: calm, peacable, patient, and self-controlled. These adjectives constitute an excellent description of the selfcontrolled person. Gough's stated goal was to "assess the degree and adequacy of self-regulation and selfcontrol and freedom from impulsivity and self-centeredness." With respect to the meaning of high scores, this goal appears to have been met. On the other hand, it is implicit in the purposes of the Sc scale that low scores should beassociated with impulsiveness and self-centeredness, an expectation that is not borne out by the ten most negatively correlated adjectives.
These adjectives reflect a wide variety of maladjustment, but nowhere in the list is there any indication of impulsivity or self-centeredness. Tolerance (To). Even though threeadjectives repeated from Gough's analysis (mature, calm, and self-controlled) the magnitude of all the positive correlations was sufficiently low that little meaning can be attached to high scores on the To scale. With this sample, the stated purpose of identifying "persons with permissive, accepting, and nonjudgmental social beliefs and attitudes" appears not to have been fulfilled. Low scores on To, while not related to intolerance per se, appear to reflect a wide gsmut of traits indicative of maladjustment. Good impression (Gi). The original purpose of the Gi scale was to identify dissimulated test results, although the scale is also meant to "identify persons capable of creating a favorable impression, and who are concerned about how others react to them." Considering that only one positively correlated and one negatively correlated adjective reached the .O1level of statistical significance and that neither of them is particularly appropriate for the aims of the scale (peaceable, and pessimistic, respectively), it would appear that Giis not a highly successful personality scale. On the other hand, the appearance of peaceable ( r = .33) and pessimistic (r = -.3 1) replicates Gough, suggesting that these particular peer-rated traits are reliably if only moderately associated with high scores on Gi. Communality (Cm). This is a validity scale designed to detect protocols on which the respondent has answered in a random fashion. In light of the purpose of the scale, it is neither surprising nor disappointing that none of the adjectives, positively or negatively correlated, achieved statistically meaningful levels of association @ < .01). Achievement via confbrmance (Ar). This scale attempts to "identify those factors of interest and motivation which facilitate achievement in any setting where conformance is a positive factor." The term "conformance" was carefully chosen to reflect an appreciation of structure
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R. J. GREGORY and L. M. MORRlS and organization, and to avoid the negative connotations of "conformity." Ac showed moderately strong associations with a large number of adjectives on both the positive and negative side, although none repeated from Gough's analysis. Among the positive correlations were mature, clear-thinking, selfcontrolled, steady, and foresighted, all traits which would appear to facilitate achievement in settings where conformance is desirable. The adjectives with negative correlations were quite varied in their content, apparently reflecting diffuse sorts of maladjustment. A possible exception is flirtatious, which does not seem to have the same degree of negative connotation (if any at all) as the remainder of the list. Achievement via independence (Ai). This scale was designed to "identify those factors of interest and motivation which facilitate achievement in any setting where autonomy and independence are positive behaviors." Even though two positively correlated and two negatively correlated adjectives replicate from Gough's analysis (mature, intelligent, and immature, foolish, respectively) none of them achieved very high magnitudes of relationship. Apparently, this scale does not fulfill its stated aim in this sample, although the appearance of determined at the top of the list (r= .27) is promising. The moderately high negative relationships for flirtatious (r = -.38) and sexy (r = -.35)are unexpected but nonetheless of potential value. Apparently, low scores on A i are moderately related to these traits. Intellectual efficiency (Ie). For a scale which was designed to "indicate the degree of personal and intellectual efficiency which the individual has attained" it is gratifying to observe that clear-thinking appears again as a positive correlate ( r = .35). In fact, the remaining ~ositivelv correlated adjectives, all of w6idh reached the .O1 level of statistical significance, offer strong confirmation that Ie measures what it purports to measure, at least at the high end of the scale. The ten negatively correlated adjectives showed quite strong relationships (-.29 t o -.41), although it would be diffi-
cult to summarize their diverse content. Pessimistic and nervous replicated from Gough's study. Psychological mindedness (Py). The Py scale showed four replicated positive correlates, namely independent, selfconfident, capable, and ingenious, although only the first of these reached the .O1 level of significance. The content of the positive correlates as well as their generally low levels of relationship indicates that Py did not achieve its stated aim of measuring "the degree t o which the individual is interested in, and responsive to, the inner needs, motives, and experiences of others." None of the negative correlates were replications of Gough, although the moderately strong relationship forfickle (r = -.35) suggests that low scores on P.v reflect this characteristic. Flexibility (Fx). The Fx scale is supposed to "indicate the degree of flexibility and adaptability of a person's thinking and social behavior." Considering that there were no replications from Gough's analysis and that the magnitude of the correlations is almost uniformly negligible, it is clear that Fx is not a very useful scale, at least with this kind of sample. Femininity (Fe). This scale was designed to "assess the masculinity or femininity of interests" with high scores indicating more feminine interests, low scores more masculine. While mature and self-controlled replicated as positive correlates, the magnitudes of the relationships (r= .22, and .21, respectively) were not very impressive. On the other hand, the four adjectives with the most positive correlations (.31 to 3 4 ) were calm, peaceable, mild, and patient, all of which are consistent with traditional conceptions of femininity. Low scores on Fe wereassociated with such peer-ratings as moody, pessimistic, bitter, and complicated. Thus, with feminine respondents low scores on Fe reflect maladjustment, and not a masculine interest pattern. Test interpreters would be well advised not to simplistically interpret Fe as a bi-polar femininity-masculinity scale. A number of general conclusions can
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Adjective Correlatesfor Women on the C'PI
be derived which substantiate the value of replicating research on the correlates of CPI scales. First, with a few exceptions noted above, the current results serve to confirm the concurrent validity of the CPI scales. Most of the scales showed moderately strong relationships with adjectives which were, at a minimum, consistent with the stated purpose of the scale. In some cases, the positively correlated adjectives were not only highly appropriate, but appeared in Gough's study as well, thereby strongly reinforcing the validity of the relationship. A second general conclusion is that low scores on the CPI scalesappearto reflect general maladjustment rather than indicating the polar opposite of high scores. Time and again adjectives such as shy, meek, timid, bitter, and pessimistic appear as high and negative correlates of CPI scales. This should serve as a warning to test interpreters that a low CPI scale score should not be interpreted merely as indicatingthe oppositeofwhat a high scale score purports to measure.
Reference Note 1 . Morris, L. M., & Gregory, R. J. Adjective correlates of the CPI Dominancescale for women: Evidence o f a change in desirability. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, 1977. References Gough, H. G. Aninterpreter's syllabusfortheCalifornia Psychological Inventory. In P. McReynolds (Ed.), Advances in ps.~chologicalassessment, Vot. I . Palo Alto. Ca: Science and Behavior Books, 1968. Gough, H. G. Manual for the California Ps.vchological Inventory (rev. ed.). Palo Alto, Ca: Consulting Psychologists Press. 1969. Gough, H. G . , &Heilbrun, A. TheA4ective Check List manual. Palo Alto. Ca: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1965. Megargee, E. The Calgornia P s ~ h o l o g i c ahl v e n lory handbook. San Francisco. Ca: Jossey-Bass. 1972. Robert .I. Gregory, PhD Department of Psychology University of ldaho Moscow, ldaho 83843 Received: August 7, 1977 Revised: September 30, 1977
