The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) for use with a female population. Seventy-five women who were either incarcerated or on probation were assessed using interview and file information. In addition, all subjects completed a battery of self-report inventories that were theoretically relevant to the PCL-R. The results strongly supported the appropriateness of the PCL-R for use with female offenders. The psychometric properties were excellent indicating a homogeneous and unidimensional scale. The factor analysis confirmed a two factor structure representing two distinct aspects of psychopathy; the personological and behavioural dimensions. The pattern of correlations obtained from the self—report inventories was highly similar to that obtained with male samples, further suggesting that the same construct is being measured in both sexes. The implications of these findings in terms of the construct of psychopathy and explanations of women’s criminality are discussed as well as future research and practical implications. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Orientadores: Paulo Dalgalarrondo, Luiz Fernando Longuim Pegoraro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-28T00:08:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Brito_MairaEsteves_M.pdf: 2518848 bytes, checksum: eb0a3cb981b7d8de253ad554f28d7f73 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Existem muitas teorias sobre o papel da personalidade nos transtornos do humor. Investigar os traços de personalidade destes pacientes pode contribuir para evidenciar especificidades importantes e para que estratégias mais eficazes de tratamento sejam adotadas no contexto clínico. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar os traços de personalidade e qualidade de vida em pacientes com diagnóstico de transtorno afetivo bipolar (TAB) e transtorno depressivo, e em indivíduos sem transtornos mentais (controles), além de verificar se existem diferenças nos traços de personalidade de pacientes com e sem tentativas de suicídio. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 90 indivíduos, sendo 30 com TAB, 30 com transtorno depressivo e 30 controles saudáveis do ponto de vista psiquiátrico. Todos foram inicialmente avaliados pelo instrumento M.I.N.I. Plus, para confirmar ou descartar diagnósticos. Para investigar a presença de sintomas depressivos e maníacos, no momento da avaliação, foram aplicadas duas escalas: a Escala Avaliação para Depressão de Montgomery e Asberg e a Escala de Avaliação de Mania de Young. A personalidade foi avaliada pelo Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), um instrumento que foi desenvolvido para identificar traços desadaptativos da personalidade e que faz parte do modelo alternativo para Transtornos de Personalidade que consta na seção III do DSM-5. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada por meio do Whoqol-Bref. Foram feitas análises estatísticas utilizando os programas o Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows e o Statistical Analysis System (SAS) for Windows. Resultados: o domínio Distanciamento evidenciou diferenças entre os três grupos, sendo que os pacientes com transtorno depressivo apresentaram as maiores pontuações. Os pacientes com transtorno de humor obtiveram escores superiores nos domínios Afetividade Negativa, Desinibição e Psicoticismo quando comparados aos controles, mas não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre unipolares de bipolares. Em relação à dimensão Antagonismo, os bipolares se diferenciaram dos demais com escores elevados. Encontrou-se que o aumento na dimensão Desinibição elevou a chance do indivíduo pertencer a um dos grupos com transtorno de humor, e o aumento na faceta Anedonia elevou a chance de pertencer ao grupo com transtorno depressivo. Pacientes com tentativas prévias de suicídio apresentam maiores escores no domínio Distanciamento e nas facetas Anedonia, Tendência à Depressão, Hostilidade e Impulsividade. Sobre a qualidade de vida, o grupo controle teve escores significativamente superiores aos dos pacientes com transtornos do humor em todos os domínios avaliados. As dimensões Distanciamento e Afetividade Negativa apresentaram as correlações negativas mais importantes com a qualidade de vida geral nos pacientes com transtornos do humor. Conclusões: Os pacientes com transtorno do humor apresentaram perfil de personalidade diferente dos controles, sendo que os traços avaliados se mostraram mais acentuados nos grupos diagnósticos. O grupo com transtorno depressivo, além de ter apresentado escores elevados na maioria das facetas, também mostrou piores resultados em qualidade de vida e número superior de tentativas de suicídio, variáveis que mostraram associação importante com alguns dos domínios investigados / Abstract: There are many theories about the role of personality in affective disorders. To study the personality profiles of these patients can contribute to evidence important specificities as well to ensuring more efficacious strategies for the treatment adopted in the clinical context. Objective: The study aimed to assess and compare the personality traits and quality of life of individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, depression and a healthy control group, and to identify whether there are differences in personality traits of patients with and without suicide attempts. Methods: The sample was composed of 90 individuals, 30 with bipolar disorder, 30 with depression and 30 psychiatrically-healthy subjects. They were assessed using the M.I.N.I. Plus to confirm or to exclude possible mental disorders. Two scales were used to assess depressive and manic symptoms at the time of the evaluation: the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Young Mania Rating Scale. To evaluate personality was used the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), it is an instrument that was developed as a measure of the maladaptive personality trait proposed by the alternative model for Personality Disorders, included within Section III of the DSM-5. Quality of life was assessed using the test Whoqol-Bref. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistical Package and SAS (Statistical Analysis System). Results: The domain Detachment showed differences among the three groups, patients with depression present the highest scores in this domain. Patients with mood disorders presented significantly higher scores in the domains of Negative Affectivity, Disinhibition and Psychoticism when compared to the control subjects. In relation to Antagonism, the bipolar patients stood out from the rest with their high scores. An increase in the domain Disinhibition was shown to increase the chances of an individual having a mood disorder and the increase in the trait Anhedonia raises the chances of depression. Patients with previous suicide attempts presented higher scores in the dimension Detachment and in the traits Anhedonia, Depressivity, Hostility and Impulsivity. In relation to the quality of life, the healthy control presented significantly higher scores when compared to patients in all domains. Negative correlation between the domains Detachment and Negative Affectivity and general quality of life were found in the patients with mood disorders. Conclusions: Patients with mood disorders presented different personality profile when compared to healthy control group and the evaluated traits were higher in the sample of patients. The depressive group, not only exhibited higher scores in the majority facets, but also showed worse results in quality of life and more suicide attempts. These variables presented significant association with some personality domains assessed / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestra em Ciências Médicas

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No description available.

The purposes of this study were to determine the accuracy of counselor perception of client attributes after an initial interview, to determine the relationship that exists between counselors' perceptions of a client's attributes and the counselors' possession of the same attributes, to determine the accuracy of counselor self-perception and to determine whether there were significant differences between counselors who are accurate perceivers and counselors who are inaccurate perceivers of client attributes. The findings pointed to the need for more training in the area of person perception in the master's level counseling program. This need is two-fold. First, counselors-intraining need to become more aware of their own personality, needs and emotions and how these might affect what they see in their clients. Second, counselors-in-training need to become more aware of personality attributes, needs, and emotions in their clients.

A limited number of culturally appropriate personality assessments are currently available in South Africa due to the mass importation of psychometric assessments in the past. The South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) project was initiated as a result of the growing demand for culturally appropriate assessment instruments as well as the change in South African legislation regarding psychometric testing (Section 8 of the Employment Equity Act, No. 47 of 2013). The SAPI project aims to identify universal and culture-specific personality traits for all 11 language groups in South Africa. The project’s central research objectives are to develop a personality instrument that complies with South African legislation, meets all the regular criteria for adequate assessment as formulated in psychology, and is relevant for South-African institutions. The SAPI project consists of multiple studies that are aimed at enabling the use of the SAPI within the open market in order to allow practitioners to validly assess personality within the South African context. This study forms part of the quantitative body of work within the SAPI project and builds on the literature of the SAPI, resulting in a more acceptable instrument. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether block– or random-item sequencing provides the best factorial replication within the framework of the SAPI. This was investigated by comparing the results obtained by administering both block- and random versions of the SAPI to a total sample of N=429 respondents at multiple private nursing education institutions. Both the block– and random-SAPI versions consisted of 262 closed-ended questions that were administered using a pen-and-paper methodology. The data preparation indicated that four block- and 19 random-items were problematic and could not be included in the analysis. After removing the problematic items, a strategy was used to formulate a conclusion pertaining to the superior item sequence. This strategy included performing an exploratory factor analysis on each of the nine factors for both the random- and block-response sets. The factor loadings were analyzed, interpreted and presented separately. The researcher looked at the most plausible sub-cluster structure for each of the nine factors, followed by assessing the structural similarity between the two response sets by comparing them to the conceptual qualitative personality structure to identify which response set was more closely related. The reliability of all the factors and sub-clusters for both response sets were also analysed and reported. The final conclusion was derived from an overall comparison made between the block- and random response sets. By utilizing the strategy it was determined that the block response set provided for a better structurally and factorially valid framework when applied to the conceptual personality structure of the SAPI. However, upon closer inspection, the differences between the block- and random response sets seem to be trivial. The findings therefore indicate that the random response set can also be used as only minor differences were noticed when compared to the block response set. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Human Resource Management / MCom / Unrestricted

Personality assessments have a long history in psychology and have become the backbone of the human capital management industry, with the Big-Five model being the most prevalent. The central criticism of personality assessments for employment decisions is validity of responses since applicants for employment often endorse items to make themselves more desirable for hire, referred to as faking behavior. The present study examined faking behavior using the Assess Personality Survey (APS). Using a sample of applicant and incumbent data (N = 8,020), the objective was to identify response difference between applicant and incumbents, and the prevalence of faking behavior in applicants. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to compare groups. Results indicate a clear distinction between applicant and incumbent response patterns. Additional analyses suggest 6 classes of testing patterns among applicants, and results are compared with previous faking identification procedures to improve criteria used to establish faking behavior in respondents.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MA (Counseling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology Faculty of Arts University of Zululand, 2004. / This is an exploratory study aimed at uncovering the personality dynamics of sexual offenders at Qalakabusha prison hi Empangeni. Various theories were reviewed in relation to the present study. The study was earned out focusing on the offenders who have been convicted for committing rape. With the assistance of officials at Qalakabusha prison, the researcher was able to use the purposive sampling technique hi selecting the respondents. Data was collected hi a series of individual interviews. In addition, the researcher also administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory Test (MCMl-IJI) and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) to assess the personality dynamics of sexual offenders. From the themes that emerged from the oral interviews with the research participants, it became evident that many beliefs about rape exists in the form of myths. It also became evident from the personality tests administered, as well as from the themes that emerged from the oral interviews, that through the process of socialization, males are taught to be strong, aggressive and sexually assertive. Females are taught to be submissive, passive and weak. Spurred on by this, males may resort to rape as a method of showing their power over women. The elevations from the MCMI-III suggest that the personality dynamics of sexual offenders is characterized by delusional disorder. Clinical syndromes that were devoted were alcohol dependence, anxiety, somatoform and dysthymia with basic aggressive and antisocial, schizoid, avoidant and depressive, personality patterns. They are also dominated by schizotypal and paranoid personality pathology. It was interesting to note similarities between the themes that emerge from the oval interviews and the scales that were elevated on the MCMI-III Test. These were aggressive outbursts and poor social relations. With regard to the TAT test, the participant's mood and tone were characterized by hesitancy, uncertainty, conflicted anxiety, guilt and self contemptuous. The main hero was an initiator (man), who was powerful. The main theme was that of anger towards females. Similarities also existed between the themes that emerged from the oval interviews and the TAT test administered. In both these, women were perceived as objects to be exploited, and their main needs were those of dominance, sex, aggression and recognition. The study then made the following recommendations: "There is a need for educational programs and public campaigns aimed at reducing the vulnerability to crime in all communities around South Africa, as well as rehabilitation programs, since the research has revealed some of the personality dynamics of sexual offenders. Such programmes would be cost effective and will help to reduce the cost of court hearings, should the offender be brought to trial. Incarceration of the offender whether in state hospital or prison, poses financial burden to the taxpayers. It is also recommended that there is a need for a co-ordinated effort and assistance of the diverse organizations and institutions such as prisons, business, trade unions, welfare agencies, NGO's. schools, and religious organizations to work together in combating crime in South Africa. While less research has been conducted on male rape. This study recommended future research on male (victim) rape, since males also experience the many reactions that females experience (National Victim Center, 1991). In the light of the above recommendations, the study concluded that rape is a crime that not only needs to be prevented but once committed, the involvement of a number of individuals, groups and organizations is needed to resolve the consequences it generates. The research also concluded that the present study made valuable contribution to our understanding of the world of the sexual offenders and was a success despite a few limitations. The understanding of the personality dynamics of sexual offenders through interviews and psychological tests, has indeed formed the basis for the development of an effective integrated prevention program at all levels, i.e. primary (preventing incidence). secondary (preventing prevalence) and tertian' levels (rehabilitation). / National Research Foundation (NRF)

In a multicultural society such as South Africa, there is a need for valid and reliable instruments measuring personality. Most personality instruments currently used in South Africa are imported from abroad and therefore have limited utility in the South African context as they have been developed for a specific group. The introduction of technology has resulted in personality measuring instruments increasingly being administered by means of computer-based assessments. The dramatic increase in computer-based assessments has sparked debate regarding the use of various response scale categories in personality assessment. The present study, which forms part of the broader South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) project, focused on the preliminary qualitative personality structure produced by the SAPI project, which is categorised into nine clusters. The current study aimed to determine whether a dichotomous or a polytomous response scale administered by means of computer-based assessments would be more suitable for measuring the preliminary personality structure of the SAPI. The participants were first- and second-year undergraduate students enrolled at a tertiary institution (N = 490). The inventory consisted of 262 closed-ended personality statements and was administered in both the dichotomous (“agree” and “disagree”) and polytomous (“strongly agree”, “agree”, “somewhat agree/disagree”, “strongly disagree” and “disagree”) response scale form. The results, which were based on an exploratory factor analysis, revealed that 37.2% of the items in the dichotomous response scale were problematic, whereas only 3.6% of the items in the polytomous response scale were problematic. By comparing the factor structures of the dichotomous and polytomous response scales, the polytomous response scale was determined to be more suitable for measuring the preliminary personality structure of the SAPI. The conclusion was based on two specific criteria. Firstly, the factor structure across the polytomous response scale loaded similarly to the qualitative personality structure that was conceptualised in the first phase of the SAPI project. Secondly, Cronbach alpha coefficients, ranging from 0.60 to 0.87 across the nine factors, with the exception of the Integrity and Openness clusters with values of 0.45 and 0.53 respectively, for the polytomous response scale were higher than those yielded by the dichotomous response scale. / Mini Dissertation (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Human Resource Management / MCom (Industrial Psychology) / unrestricted

The general purpose of this study will be an exploration of the relationships between the self-descriptions of late adolescents, their perceptions of how they think their like-sexed parents would describe them, their social class of origin, and the degree of their implied social mobility. The present study specifically investigates the proposition that as the late adolescent implies an attempt to change his social lass of origin (as measured by Hollingshead’s Two Factor Index of Social Position by obtaining more education and aspiring to a different occupation than his parents) the tested implication is that he feels his parents’ perceptions of him become different form his own, (as measured in both cases by the Adjective Check List developed by Gough and Hielbruner (1965)). Furthermore, this difference will be greater than that perceived by those who are non-mobile. A secondary objective of the study will be to attempt to gain some insight into the nature of social classes in our society. As will be seen in the review of the literature, there are many theories regarding this issue. Two of the most prominent to be discussed will be class specific versus common values orientations. This study will attempt to see which of these two theories the type of data collected for this study will support.