The personality theory expounded by R.B. Cattell and his collaborators is one of the most influential models of personality in modern-day psychology. The central and most controversial elements of this theory are the sixteen primary source traits, which make up the model. This thesis describes research into the primary source traits as represented by Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factor Questionaire (16FF). From the responses of a large sample of general population British adults (N: ≈ 2,000) evidence is presented to suggest that: - 1. inconsistencies exist between the relationships of Cattell's personality scales with variables such as age and social class and the relationships postulated from his model. 2. the precision of measurement afforded by certain scales is extremely low, especially in lower social class subjects. 3. the model as represented in the scales of the 16PF is untenable in terms of its internal consistency. 4. Cattell's personality scales are not in fact the most parsimonious description of the personality domain.

This diploma thesis deals with the relationship between the selected traits of the Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Model, the family factors and the rates of alcohol consumption. Attention is paid to the description of personality, to the theory of personality and also to the description of Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Model. This work also deals with the description of alcohol and the factors that may be related to its use and the use of other addictive substances. The function of alcohol, the consumption patterns and addiction issues are also described. The quantitative research was chosen. The target was to determine whether there is a realationship between selected personality characteristics of Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Model, the primal family influences, the demographic variables, and the level of alcohol consumption. The methods used in this research were: Cattell's 16 factor personality questionnaire and the BSQF (Beverage specific quantity-frequency) questionnaire, which made it possible to determine the average daily consumption of pure alcohol in grams and to determine the level of consumption based on this. There were questionnaire methods added to include additional questions that examined the family situation during childhood, substance abuse of biological parents, the...