The current thesis presents five studies which consider the structure of normal range human personality as measured by psychometric inventories. The primary aim of the thesis was to develop a hierarchical model of the structure of human personality, which not only encapsulated the content of extant personality inventories, but extended the extant models to better represent the accumulated knowledge in the field of personality research. To do so, the thesis reports on the largest item level exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic investigation of the structure of personality to date. In Study 1, the utility of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the investigation of personality structure was established by conducting dimensionality, structural and invariance analysis of the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire, Version 5, using the US Standardization sample. The results clearly demonstrated that confirmatory models of personality inventories can display model fit, and that structures can be identified which are invariant across samples. In Study 2, 1,772 items from the Eugene-Springfield community sample were used to locate 78 unidimensional narrow personality facets, which were both substantively consistent and displayed strong psychometric properties. These 78 facets were then used to identify a second order 11 factor global structure to human personality, the 11+ Model. The 11+ Model was robust over different rotational criteria, and displayed excellent theoretical coverage of the personality sphere. However, confirmatory factor analyses of the 11 factor solution failed to demonstrate model fit. As a result, three further studies were conducted to explore the possible reasons for model misfit. In Study 3, the model fit of the new exploratory 11 factor solution was considered against model fit for extant structures and inventories. The results showed that across modelling strategy, the fit of newly identified structure was comparable to the extant inventories. In Study 4, the claim the model misfit is caused by the inherent complexity in personality was considered through an application of exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM). ESEM has been argued to more adequately represent such complexity. Results suggested that the ESEM framework fails to offer additional information to help resolve the substantive problems in personality research. Finally, in Study 5, the sample size required to reliably estimate single factor confirmatory models, and second order structural models, was investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. The results suggest that samples of over 2000 are required to reliably estimate second order structural parameters in confirmatory factor analytic models. This finding suggests the samples used in much published research to investigate confirmatory structural models of personality inventories may be deficient.

Annotation: The thesis deals with a problem of personality in the context of the top athletes' and top managers' activities. Comparison of the demands of these activities on the human and comparison of the personality profile results in a finding that there is a certain consensus in the personality profiles of top athletes and top managers and also to the conclusion that there is a noticeable difference between them in the emotional area. Title: Comparison of personality traits of top athletes and top managers. Objectives: Find a set of personality traits characteristic for particular groups of athletes and for a group of top managers and to determine which of the psychological characteristics of these groups are similar, respectively. Confirm the hypothesis: "It is possible to suppose that the personality traits of athletes match the demands of the sport sector, as well as the personality traits of the top managers correspond with the demands of their professional activities, and that there is a consensus in the personality characteristics of athletes and top managers, which corresponds to a consensus on demands of these two activities ". Methods: Cattell's 16 P. F. Questionnaire, correlation analysis according to Spearman, calculation of the statistical significance of the difference by the...

The study of how personality traits relate to psychopathology has flourished in the past three decades, with strong evidence for systematic links between personality and psychological disorders. Great progress has been made in our understanding of the associations between broad traits and the mood and anxiety disorders (or internalizing disorders). In particular, it is clear that the broad trait neuroticism/negative emotionality (N/NE; stress reactivity and a tendency to experience negative emotions) is moderately to strongly associated with all of the internalizing disorders, both concurrently and longitudinally. However, researchers have noted the relative dearth of studies that examine associations with more narrow facet-level traits. The current study examined the relations of N/NE facets with six of the internalizing disorders (i.e., depression, GAD, PTSD, social anxiety, panic, and OCD). The above symptoms were expected to load on to two higher order factors (fear and distress). Based on pilot analyses, a five-factor model for N/NE was hypothesized, consisting of sadness, anxiety, angry hostility, mistrust, and dependency. In addition, stress vulnerability marked the shared variance among these facets. I also examined associations between the disorders and four clinical traits (i.e., anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, perfectionism, and intolerance of uncertainty) that are related to N/NE. Finally, I analyzed the associations of the N/NE facets and clinical traits with heterogeneous symptom dimensions within PTSD and OCD. Self-report and clinical interview data were collected from a college student sample (N = 373) and a psychiatric outpatient sample (N = 252; an additional 44 patients completed self-report measures only), with multiple measures of each internalizing disorder and personality trait described above. Structural equation modeling was used to remove shared variance among the six disorders and among the traits, allowing for the examination of relations across the unique variances of each construct. The hypothesized N/NE model provided a good fit to the data in both samples, as did the hypothesized psychopathology structure in the patient sample. However, markers of depression, panic, PTSD, and GAD were indistinguishable in the student sample and were therefore collapsed into a single factor. The results of the current study delineated unique patterns of association for each of the internalizing symptoms (as well as symptom dimensions within OCD and PTSD) in reference to the N/NE facets and clinical traits, highlighting shared and specific trait contributors. There was also evidence that all four clinical traits (as well as their subscales) are not redundant with N/NE and are differentially associated with the internalizing psychopathology examined here. The results of the current study helped clarify personality-psychopathology relations within a large network of traits and symptoms, while also controlling for the extensive overlap among these constructs. As such, implications for taxonomy, differential assessment, and structural models in these domains are discussed. Future research should focus on expanding this model to other traits and disorders, utilizing other methods of assessment such as informant data, and striving to delineate underlying mediating factors that may account for the pattern of associations found between traits and symptoms in the current study.

Fifteen adult women (mean age 34.5 years) participated in this exploratory study. The study aimed to identify commonalities in trichotillomania patients’ personality structure and psychological functioning. Relevant historical data were obtained, the Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale was completed, and a Rorschach test in terms of the Comprehensive System was administered. The results point to an innate vulnerability in the sample’s personality structure that impedes their capacity for efficient problem-solving, decision-making, and coping behaviour. Other key findings include a distorted perception of themselves, a limited capacity for control and stress tolerance, difficulty in modulating and expressing emotions, the interference of primary process thinking in ideational activity, and the effects of these factors on their interpersonal relationships. Theoretical inferences are made about the probable aetiological roots of these findings. As the subjects’ level of functioning was unexpectedly high in the light of their deep-rooted pathology, the dynamic role and function of self-induced hair pulling as a symptom were considered. Suggestions are made to improve the treatment prognosis of the disorder. / Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

The main topic of this diploma thesis is Motional activity and Personality structure of czech adult population with focus of men. Research examined 40 men from the ages 20 to 60 years. The theoretical part is dealing with personality structure, five-factor model of personality, motional activity of adults and gait. In the research part the motional activity was measured using the pedometer Yamax Digiwalker SW-700. The personality structure was taken with the help of a fivefactor questionaire called NEO personality inventory. The research results confirmed a relationship between the personality trait and volume of motional activity.

The phenomenon of serial murder is a crime characterised by a paucity of scientific information and an excess of popularised fictional material, contributing to the existence of inaccurate perceptions of serial murder. Although serial murder has been committed since the fourteenth century it only gained notoriety with the intense media coverage of the Jack the Ripper case in 1888. One of the most important reasons for society’s morbid fascination with this phenomenon is because of the view of it as a “motiveless crime”. Available literature shows that research undertaken to determine the origin and the motivation behind serial homicide generally focuses on singular aspects of serial murder. In most cases the research is directed by theories of the psychoanalytic school, most notably that of Sigmund Freud. Another research approach is to develop models and methods for classifying serial killers. Despite the value of these models and the research that has been done the information they can provide is limited. In most cases the research and the models focus on singular aspects associated with the development of serial murderers, for example, the internal conflicts experienced by the child. The goal of this study is to determine which internal and external factors influence the personality development of the serial murderer. The research therefore focuses on how these factors were internalised and expressed behaviourally by the individual. To achieve this the psychosocial perspective, which consisted of three psychological theories, was used to determine the role of both internal and external influences in the personality development of the individual. The method of research deemed most suitable to undertake the study is the qualitative approach, and more specifically the explanatory case study method. The data for the research was obtained by using a semi-structured interview and relevant documentation concerning each of the two case studies. Seven research questions were formulated to find answers to the personality development of the serial murderer and his behaviour. The questions were also formulated to ensure the validity of the data and to substantiate the findings based on the psychosocial perspective. The psychosocial perspective was used to analyse the two case studies and to compile a detailed explanation for the personality development and the personality structure of each of the serial murderers. The three psychological theories were combined in such a way that it could show the influence of internal and external factors on the personality development. This included the influence of the family atmosphere as well as behaviour and personality types that developed. In conclusion the extent to which answers were obtained regarding the seven research questions and the extent to which the aim of the research has been achieved is highlighted. Finally recommendations are made concerning future research and possible areas on which researchers should focus. / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the potential effect of sudden loss on the personality structures of bereaved individuals. For this purpose, I focused on the individual personality structures of five nuclear family members during the first year following the sudden loss of their daughter/sister. I followed a concurrent nested mixed model research approach and relied upon both the post-positivist and interpretivist paradigms, allowing me to integrate the complementary strengths of quantitative and qualitative data collection by means of triangulation. I utilised a within group interrupted time series design, comparing the family’s MBTI® profiles prior to and following the sudden loss they had experienced. In addition, I incorporated the results of 16PF profiles of the participants administered post-sudden loss. I further substantiated my findings in terms of recurring themes on individual metaphors concerning the sudden loss experience, constructed by the participants. The findings of the study indicated that distinct changes in personality structures occurred in terms of the personality structures of the participants. Pertaining to the four polarities of the MBTI®, I found that the participants displayed a greater preference for the Introversion attitude, as well as both the Sensing and Feeling functions, after they had experienced sudden loss. All participants displayed an inclination towards personal growth by moving closer to the Judging/Perceiving axis post-sudden loss. In addition, two general tendencies were evident amongst the participants, namely a greater dependence on the inferior functions; and secondly the tendency to rely on type exaggeration when dealing with sudden loss. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

The experience of complex childhood trauma produces a ripple-effect that psychologically impacts trauma survivors’ functioning in multiple areas. The aim of the current study was to investigate and describe the interplay between complex trauma, subsequent personality development and later psychopathology by means of the multiple case study method of six female psychiatric patients attending treatment at a tertiary psychiatric hospital within Gauteng, South Africa. This was accomplished by assessing and qualitatively analysing the results of a carefully selected battery of personality and other psychometric assessments presented to study participants. The results indicated that the experience of complex childhood trauma impacted the study participants’ personality in predictable ways, which further influenced the psychopathology they displayed as psychiatric patients. These findings aid in describing the psychological impact of complex trauma on the research participants, and also offers support for reconnecting past traumas to the current psychopathologies of psychiatric patients. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)