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Personality psychology became an identifiable discipline in the social sciences in the 1930s when Allport (1937) published an article on the psychological interpretation of personality. The field of personality traditionally emphasised the study of the whole person, the dynamics of human motivation and the identification and measurement of individual differences (McAdams, 1997). Since the publication of Allport’s article, personality has been extensively researched and several theories exist that attempt to organise and explain the differences in human behaviour. Personality instruments are based on personality theories and aim to assist psychologists with the prediction of human behaviour. Psychologists use personality instruments as part of a selection battery to assist organisations with the screening and selection of individuals who have the potential to be successful within a specific work environment. The Basic Traits Inventory (BTI), a personality instrument that is based on the Five-Factor model, was developed in South Africa by Taylor and De Bruin (2006). The BTI is a valid and reliable personality instrument as indicated by results from research by Taylor (2004), Taylor and De Bruin (2006) and Taylor (2008) on its utility within the multicultural and multilingual environment of South Africa. Taylor (2008) nevertheless identified some problematic items when she analysed the construct, item, and response bias of the BTI across cultures for three language groups – Afrikaans, English and indigenous African languages – and consequently indicated the need for further research in this regard. The current study therefore explores the possible bias of the items of the BTI, and uses a sample large enough to analyse each of the eleven of the official languages of South Africa separately. The study focuses on the impact of the eleven official languages of South Africa on assessment of the Big Five personality factors with the BTI. The actual sample consisted of 105 342 respondents, resulting in the sub-samples per official language group being larger than 1 000. Each of the eleven official South African language groups could therefore be analysed separately, which has not been possible in previous studies. Analysis of the responses of the total sample to the BTI items generally yielded high reliability in terms of Cronbach alpha coefficients (α) and the Person Separation Index (PSI). The results were reported as follows: Extraversion (α=.86; PSI=.85); Neuroticism (α=.89; PSI=.86); Conscientiousness (α=.93; PSI=.88); Openness to experience (α=.90; PSI=.84); Agreeableness (α=.94; PSI=.86); and Social desirability (α=.72; PSI=.70). MANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences between the mean values of each of the BTI factors for the different language groups. Rasch analysis methods were used to further analyse the differences in terms of item responses for each of the eleven official language groups in South Africa. Respondents generally interpret and endorse the items of a personality instrument according to their intrinsic personality characteristics and their interpretation of the words used in the items of the personality instrument. In order to assess the respondents’ understanding of the administration language, English, two English proficiency tests were administered together with the BTI. The combined English proficiency scores were used to differentiate between respondents who understood English very well (top 25% – high English proficiency group) and those who struggled to understand English terminology (bottom 25% – low English proficiency group). Rasch analysis techniques were used to analyse the data for the whole sample as well as for the high and low English proficiency groups. Some items showed statistically significant differences for the language groups, indicating item bias in the BTI. Contrary to expectation, a larger number of biased items were indicated for the higher English proficiency group than for the total group or for the low English proficiency group. Due to the number of biased items for the high English proficiency group, it was concluded that the differences between the eleven official language groups may be a result of the differences in the intrinsic personality characteristics of the respondents, rather than measurement errors or item bias of the BTI instrument. Further research in this regard was recommended. The current study confirms that home language and English proficiency, as indicators of the level of understanding of the language in which the personality instrument was administered, undeniably influence the individual’s response pattern. Far fewer items indicated bias than those identified in Taylor’s (2008) study, where a smaller sample was used and language groups were combined. Despite some BTI items showing bias, the conclusion was reached that this personality instrument can be used with confidence to assess personality traits in persons speaking any of the eleven official South African languages. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / D. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Personality psychology became an identifiable discipline in the social sciences in the 1930s when Allport (1937) published an article on the psychological interpretation of personality. The field of personality traditionally emphasised the study of the whole person, the dynamics of human motivation and the identification and measurement of individual differences (McAdams, 1997). Since the publication of Allport’s article, personality has been extensively researched and several theories exist that attempt to organise and explain the differences in human behaviour. Personality instruments are based on personality theories and aim to assist psychologists with the prediction of human behaviour. Psychologists use personality instruments as part of a selection battery to assist organisations with the screening and selection of individuals who have the potential to be successful within a specific work environment. The Basic Traits Inventory (BTI), a personality instrument that is based on the Five-Factor model, was developed in South Africa by Taylor and De Bruin (2006). The BTI is a valid and reliable personality instrument as indicated by results from research by Taylor (2004), Taylor and De Bruin (2006) and Taylor (2008) on its utility within the multicultural and multilingual environment of South Africa. Taylor (2008) nevertheless identified some problematic items when she analysed the construct, item, and response bias of the BTI across cultures for three language groups – Afrikaans, English and indigenous African languages – and consequently indicated the need for further research in this regard. The current study therefore explores the possible bias of the items of the BTI, and uses a sample large enough to analyse each of the eleven of the official languages of South Africa separately. The study focuses on the impact of the eleven official languages of South Africa on assessment of the Big Five personality factors with the BTI. The actual sample consisted of 105 342 respondents, resulting in the sub-samples per official language group being larger than 1 000. Each of the eleven official South African language groups could therefore be analysed separately, which has not been possible in previous studies. Analysis of the responses of the total sample to the BTI items generally yielded high reliability in terms of Cronbach alpha coefficients (α) and the Person Separation Index (PSI). The results were reported as follows: Extraversion (α=.86; PSI=.85); Neuroticism (α=.89; PSI=.86); Conscientiousness (α=.93; PSI=.88); Openness to experience (α=.90; PSI=.84); Agreeableness (α=.94; PSI=.86); and Social desirability (α=.72; PSI=.70). MANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences between the mean values of each of the BTI factors for the different language groups. Rasch analysis methods were used to further analyse the differences in terms of item responses for each of the eleven official language groups in South Africa. Respondents generally interpret and endorse the items of a personality instrument according to their intrinsic personality characteristics and their interpretation of the words used in the items of the personality instrument. In order to assess the respondents’ understanding of the administration language, English, two English proficiency tests were administered together with the BTI. The combined English proficiency scores were used to differentiate between respondents who understood English very well (top 25% – high English proficiency group) and those who struggled to understand English terminology (bottom 25% – low English proficiency group). Rasch analysis techniques were used to analyse the data for the whole sample as well as for the high and low English proficiency groups. Some items showed statistically significant differences for the language groups, indicating item bias in the BTI. Contrary to expectation, a larger number of biased items were indicated for the higher English proficiency group than for the total group or for the low English proficiency group. Due to the number of biased items for the high English proficiency group, it was concluded that the differences between the eleven official language groups may be a result of the differences in the intrinsic personality characteristics of the respondents, rather than measurement errors or item bias of the BTI instrument. Further research in this regard was recommended. The current study confirms that home language and English proficiency, as indicators of the level of understanding of the language in which the personality instrument was administered, undeniably influence the individual’s response pattern. Far fewer items indicated bias than those identified in Taylor’s (2008) study, where a smaller sample was used and language groups were combined. Despite some BTI items showing bias, the conclusion was reached that this personality instrument can be used with confidence to assess personality traits in persons speaking any of the eleven official South African languages. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

In this investigation it is assumed that Indians, who constitute a minority group in this country, are definitely confronted with more complex problems than their White counterparts and furthermore, that their problems are at least as complex of those experienced by Blacks in South Africa. Apart from his race, the Indian in South Africa also differs from his White and Black fellow-citizens in respect of his culture, traditions, customs and sometimes even of his language. This fact means that the TAT tests, which were adapted for Blacks in South Africa, cannot be applied without further ado to the Indian population group. The point of departure in this investigation is to develop a projective technique, similar to that of the TAT-Z, that can be adjusted to suit Indians and to deal with the problems experienced as a result of the new cultural demands that are imposed on this group. A further aim is to determine, by means of a newly constructed picture personality test, the degree of acculturation that still appears to be present among Indian South Africans, as well as to identify some personality characteristics. The latter can be used as a guideline in the choice of an occupation or job. Since Indian women are entering the labour market to an increasing extent, it was considered desirable to involve them in the test programme as well. With this aim in mind, 213 men and 195 women who are representative of the Indian population, were tested with the newly constructed Picture Personality Test for Indian South Africans (PPT-ISA). For the purposes of this experiment, the two survey groups were divided into five biographical variables, viz marital status, age, religion, qualifications and socio-economic status. A frequency distribution of positive, negative and ambivalent responses of all respondents, to all the constructs was determined, according to which the findings were analysed with the aid of various statistical techniques. The investigation reveals, in particular, that older people, as opposed to younger ones of both sexes, perform better in the test. It was also found that married people have a greater sense of duty and responsibility than unmarried persons; that an Indian woman's religion has a considerable influence on her response to certain constructs, whereas this phenomenon is not found in the case of Indian men. A factor analysis which was carried out indicates that three identifiable factors could be found, viz: ? *Men:- Factor I - Attitude towards authority, Factor II - Self-concept, Factor III - Self-assertiveness, ? *Women:- Factor I - Self-concept, Factor II - Submissiveness, Factor III - Attitude towards authority. It was furthermore shown that most constructs possess specificity, with the result that justifiable conclusions can be drawn from constructs. Construct validity investigations that were carried out indicate that the measuring instrument possesses a considerable degree of validity. A rater reliability investigation also revealed that high reliability coefficients were obtained, which implies that the test can be used with confidence. It would therefore appear that the PPT-ISA is a useful instrument that can be applied in the selection and placement of persons applying for vacancies in the labour market. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1980.

The present study was designed to assess both the construct of psychopathy in a female jail sample as well as the quality of the measures that have been employed to assess this personality style. Utilizing the multitrait-multimethod matrix proposed by Campbell and Fiske (1959), the construct of psychopathy was measured via three instruments: (a) the Antisocial Scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory, (b) the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised, and (c) the Antisocial Scale of the Personality Disorder Examination. In addition, the predictive validity of each of these measures of psychopathy was evaluated to determine their ability to predict institutional violence and non-compliance. The results revealed significant convergence and divergence across the three instruments supporting the construct of psychopathy in a female jail sample. In addition, the measures of psychopathy demonstrated moderate predictive validity.

Test feedback has been recommended as an effective adjunct to brief therapy, despite a continued lack of empirical support. Previous research demonstrates the benefits of providing test feedback; however, it is unclear whether feedback interventions are responsible for producing positive outcomes. To clarify the efficacy of incorporating test feedback into the counseling process, a constructive research strategy was followed to examine collaborative MMPI-2 feedback as an isolated treatment component in brief counseling. A multiple source effect, as outlined by social influence theory (Strong, 1968) and the elaboration likelihood model (Petty & Cacioppo, 1981), was proposed to explain the benefits of collaborative test feedback. Specifically, the source characteristics of the counselor and the test were hypothesized to facilitate counseling outcomes.Forty undergraduate students, who were willing to discuss personal concerns with a counselor during two counseling sessions, were randomly assigned to either a counseling-only or a counseling + feedback intervention. The counseling process in both treatment groups was the same (i.e., participants answered personal questions), but MMPI-2 feedback was provided only in the counseling + feedback group. After each counseling session and a two-week follow-up, participants completed the Session Impact Scale, Outcome Questionnaire, Counselor Rating Form, Thought Listing procedure, as well as counseling attitudes and persuasion to change measures.Regardless of whether personality feedback was provided, the counseling sessions were evaluated favorably, participants' psychological functioning improved, and counselors were perceived to be influential. Although group differences were not large enough to be statistically significant, providing MMPI-2 feedback was associated with more reliable change in symptomatic distress. In addition, participants from both groups reported comparable levels of cognitive processing and counseling attitudes and were similarly persuaded to alter their behavior. Because significant changes occurred regardless of test feedback, counseling outcomes were not moderated by providing test feedback. Multiple source effects were not demonstrated in the test feedback process. These results indicate common therapeutic factors, such as answering therapeutic questions and finding solutions to presenting concerns, are responsible for treatment gains previously attributed to test feedback. Suggestions for future test interpretation research are provided and recommendations for theoretical development are discussed. / Department of Educational Studies

New Spanish versions of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) were assessed with the Spanish translation of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) as the gold standard. Findings from categorical and dimensional analyses suggest that, although the degree of diagnostic concordance of both measures with the DIS was found to be moderately high, the MMPI-2 clinical scales yielded greater specificity but lower sensitivity than the PAI scales on two of four diagnostic categories (i.e., Major Depression, and Schizophrenia). Both measures failed to correctly diagnose Anxiety Disorders, while the MMPI-2 also showed poor diagnostic accuracy with Alcohol Dependence.