Factor Analytic TheoriesFactor Analytic Theories

Chapter 11Chapter 11

Raymond Raymond CattellCattell19051905--Born Staffordshire, EnglandBorn Staffordshire, EnglandHappy childhoodHappy childhoodLived through WW ILived through WW I

Admitted he was heavily Admitted he was heavily influenced by the warinfluenced by the war

Chemistry & Physics Chemistry & Physics background before pursuing background before pursuing PhD in PsychologyPhD in PsychologyStudied under Spearman, noted Studied under Spearman, noted quantitative psychologistquantitative psychologist

Spearman developed factor Spearman developed factor analysisanalysis

Held several faculty jobs in USAHeld several faculty jobs in USAYes, he is our first theorist who Yes, he is our first theorist who is still alive!is still alive!

Definition of PersonalityDefinition of Personality““PersonalityPersonality is that which permits a is that which permits a predictionprediction of what a person will do in a of what a person will do in a given situationgiven situation””

Personality as a way to predict future Personality as a way to predict future eventsevents

Expressed as a formulaExpressed as a formulaR = R = ƒƒ(P,S)(P,S)A response (R) is a function of the person A response (R) is a function of the person (P) and the stimuli (S)(P) and the stimuli (S)

Surface Traits versus Surface Traits versus Source TraitsSource TraitsIn order for a trait theory to be useful, it In order for a trait theory to be useful, it must go beyond overt behaviorsmust go beyond overt behaviorsExamples:Examples:

Bad: Dale is lazy because of underlying laziness Bad: Dale is lazy because of underlying laziness (tautological/circular)(tautological/circular)Good: Pat is honest because of underlying ego Good: Pat is honest because of underlying ego strengthstrength

Surface traitsSurface traits refer to overt behaviorsrefer to overt behaviorsSource traitsSource traits refer to underlying variablesrefer to underlying variables

More on Source TraitsMore on Source Traits

Source traits are critical to Source traits are critical to CattellCattell’’ss theory of theory of personalitypersonality

Source traits are few: a simple economy of human Source traits are few: a simple economy of human descriptiondescriptionSource traits have influence on personality and, in Source traits have influence on personality and, in turn, the ways we behaveturn, the ways we behave

Source traits reflect both hereditary and Source traits reflect both hereditary and environmental influencesenvironmental influencesBuilding blocks of personalityBuilding blocks of personality

16 basic temperament and ability traits 16 basic temperament and ability traits 16 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)

Basic Temperament Source Basic Temperament Source TraitsTraits

SoberSoberHappyHappy--gogo--luckylucky

HumbleHumbleAssertiveAssertive

Less Less IntelligentIntelligent

More More IntelligentIntelligent

ReservedReservedOutgoingOutgoing

Basic Temperament Source Basic Temperament Source TraitsTraits

SuspiciousSuspiciousTrustingTrusting

TenderTender--MindedMinded

ToughTough--MindedMinded

ShyShyAdventuresomeAdventuresome

Lack of Internal Lack of Internal StandardsStandards

Strong Strong ConscienceConscience

Basic Temperament Source Basic Temperament Source TraitsTraits

ImaginativeImaginative PracticalPractical

ShrewdShrewd ForthrightForthright

ApprehensiveApprehensive SelfSelf--AssuredAssured

ExperimentalExperimental ConservativeConservative

Basic Temperament Source Basic Temperament Source TraitsTraits

TenseTenseRelaxedRelaxed

ControlledControlledCasualCasual

SelfSelf--sufficientsufficientGroupGroup--DependentDependent

Low Ego Low Ego StrengthStrength

High Ego High Ego StrengthStrength

Derivation of the Basic Derivation of the Basic Temperament Source Traits: Temperament Source Traits: Factor AnalysisFactor AnalysisCattellCattell used factor analysis to derive the used factor analysis to derive the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire or Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire or 16PF16PFFactor analysis is a statistical technique to Factor analysis is a statistical technique to find patterns in a larger subset of datafind patterns in a larger subset of data

Patterns of correlations among itemsPatterns of correlations among itemsGrouped into Grouped into ““factorsfactors”” or highly correlated itemsor highly correlated itemsExtremely Extremely time consuming without computerstime consuming without computers

What is Factor Analysis?What is Factor Analysis?Hypothetical Correlation Matrix

VariableVariable 1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5. 6.6.

1. Reading1. Reading 1.001.00 .60.60 .50.50 .15.15 .20.20 .10.10

2. 2. VocabVocab.. 1.001.00 .50.50 .15.15 .10.10 .10.10

3. Spelling3. Spelling 1.001.00 .10.10 .20.20 .15.15

4. Addition4. Addition 1.001.00 .60.60 .60.60

5. 5. SubtactSubtact.. 1.001.00 .60.60

6. 6. MultMult.. 1.001.00

What is Factor Analysis?What is Factor Analysis?Hypothetical Correlation Matrix: Patterns of Correlation

VariableVariable 1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5. 6.6.

1. Reading1. Reading 1.001.00 .60.60 .50.50 .15.15 .20.20 .10.10

2. 2. VocabVocab.. 1.001.00 .50.50 .15.15 .10.10 .10.10

3. Spelling3. Spelling 1.001.00 .10.10 .20.20 .15.15

4. Addition4. Addition 1.001.00 .60.60 .60.60

5. 5. SubtactSubtact.. 1.001.00 .60.60

6. 6. MultMult.. 1.001.00

What is Factor Analysis?What is Factor Analysis?Factor Matrix

VariableVariable Factor 1Factor 1 Factor 2Factor 2

1. Reading1. Reading .70.70 .15.15

2. Vocabulary2. Vocabulary .60.60 .15.15

3. Spelling3. Spelling .60.60 .10.10

4. Addition4. Addition .10.10 .70.70

5. Subtraction5. Subtraction .10.10 .65.65

6. Multiplication6. Multiplication .05.05 .60.60

Creation of the 16PFCreation of the 16PF

Administered items to participants Administered items to participants Hundreds of surface personality traitsHundreds of surface personality traits

Factor analysis of these surface traitsFactor analysis of these surface traitsClusters of surface traits grouped into a Clusters of surface traits grouped into a common source traitcommon source trait

Source trait then named and identifiedSource trait then named and identified……

Prediction with the 16PFPrediction with the 16PFCattellCattell hoped to predict future responses by hoped to predict future responses by knowing where a person stood on the 16 knowing where a person stood on the 16 traitstraitsCattell used Cattell used specification equationsspecification equations to make to make predictions in various situationspredictions in various situations

RR = = ss11TT11 + + ss22TT22+ + …… ssnnTTnnRead: Read: An individualAn individual’’s response is equal to the s response is equal to the sum of that individualsum of that individual’’s traits as weighted by the s traits as weighted by the influence of situational factorsinfluence of situational factorsA limited formula: a more complete version A limited formula: a more complete version would also consider individuals would also consider individuals state state of mind and of mind and rolerole within a group or societywithin a group or society

Contemporary Successors Contemporary Successors to to CattellCattell: The Big 5: The Big 5CattellCattell influenced considerable efforts influenced considerable efforts to advance and refine his 16PFto advance and refine his 16PFCattellCattell’’ss 16 factors distilled into 5 core 16 factors distilled into 5 core personality traitspersonality traits

OpennessOpennessConscientiousnessConscientiousnessExtraversionExtraversionAgreeablenessAgreeablenessNeuroticismNeuroticism

Contemporary Successors Contemporary Successors to to CattellCattell: The Big 5: The Big 5CattellCattell influenced considerable efforts to influenced considerable efforts to advance and refine his 16PFadvance and refine his 16PFCattellCattell’’ss 16 factors distilled into 5 core 16 factors distilled into 5 core personality traitspersonality traits

OO pennesspennessCC onscientiousnessonscientiousnessEE xtraversionxtraversionAA greeablenessgreeablenessNN euroticismeuroticism

Not complete consensus on Big FiveNot complete consensus on Big Five

The Big Five Personality TraitsThe Big Five Personality TraitsNeuroticismNeuroticism

anxiety, angry hostility, depression, selfanxiety, angry hostility, depression, self--consciousness, consciousness, impulsiveness, vulnerabilityimpulsiveness, vulnerability

ExtraversionExtraversionwarmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, excitement warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, excitement seeking, positive emotionsseeking, positive emotions

OpennessOpennessFantasy, aesthetics, feelings, actions, ideas, valuesFantasy, aesthetics, feelings, actions, ideas, values

AgreeablenessAgreeablenessTrust, straightforwardness, altruism, compliance, modesty, Trust, straightforwardness, altruism, compliance, modesty, tendertender--mindednessmindedness

ConscientiousnessConscientiousnessCompetence, order, dutifulness, achievement striving, selfCompetence, order, dutifulness, achievement striving, self--discipline, deliberationdiscipline, deliberation

Approaches of Big Five Approaches of Big Five TheoristsTheoristsBig Five theorists study language and words Big Five theorists study language and words humans use to describe personalityhumans use to describe personality

English language has almost 18,000 words that English language has almost 18,000 words that can characterize personality can characterize personality AllportAllport

This was the list This was the list CattellCattell initially used in his Factor Analysisinitially used in his Factor Analysis

Factor analysis of ratings of these words can Factor analysis of ratings of these words can derive factors that characterize personalityderive factors that characterize personality

Big Five theorists construct questionnaires Big Five theorists construct questionnaires that purport to measure the five factorsthat purport to measure the five factors

NEONEO--PIPI--RR

Applying the Big FiveApplying the Big FiveIn the WorkplaceIn the Workplace

To predict job performanceTo predict job performanceTo match employees to certain jobs or tasksTo match employees to certain jobs or tasksTo predict job satisfactionTo predict job satisfaction

Diagnosing personality disorders, planning Diagnosing personality disorders, planning treatmentstreatments

Group therapy for extravertsGroup therapy for extraverts

DSMDSM--VVCan you think of any problems in using Can you think of any problems in using measures in this way?measures in this way?Cross cultural support for Big FiveCross cultural support for Big Five

Not completely universal supportNot completely universal supportBest support from languages/cultures originating in EuropeBest support from languages/cultures originating in Europe

CattellCattell’’ss Other Contributions: Other Contributions: Behavioral GeneticsBehavioral Genetics

Emphasized role of genetics and heredity on Emphasized role of genetics and heredity on personalitypersonality

Genotype Genotype or the genetic makeup of a personor the genetic makeup of a personPhenotypePhenotype or a personor a person’’s outward appearances outward appearance

Twin studies that attempt to assess the Twin studies that attempt to assess the habitability of certain traitshabitability of certain traits

MMultiple ultiple AAbstract bstract VVariance ariance AAnalysis (nalysis (MAVAMAVA) with ) with twins and siblings reared either together or aparttwins and siblings reared either together or apart

Adoption studiesAdoption studiesMZ twins vs. DZ twins vs. Family vs. StrangersMZ twins vs. DZ twins vs. Family vs. Strangers

Behavioral Genetics (cont.)Behavioral Genetics (cont.)Genetic influence on IQ scoresGenetic influence on IQ scoresHeritability Heritability refers to a statistical estimate of refers to a statistical estimate of the phenotypic variation that may be cause the phenotypic variation that may be cause by genetic variationby genetic variationSome physical characteristics, such as height, Some physical characteristics, such as height, may be as much as 90% heritablemay be as much as 90% heritableEstimates of heritability for most personality Estimates of heritability for most personality traits range from 33 % (habits & attitudes) to traits range from 33 % (habits & attitudes) to 50% (temperament)50% (temperament)

OO = 61%, = 61%, CC = 44%, = 44%, EE = 53%, = 53%, AA = 41%, = 41%, NN = 41%= 41%These estimates keep droppingThese estimates keep dropping……

EugenicsEugenics

EugenicsEugenics is the practice of selective breeding is the practice of selective breeding in animals or humansin animals or humans

Cultivate Cultivate ““desirabledesirable”” qualities in humansqualities in humans

In the extreme, forced sterilization of humans In the extreme, forced sterilization of humans because of because of ““defectsdefects””

Occurred in USA in 20th CenturyOccurred in USA in 20th Century——WW IIWW IICattellCattell vs. the idea of a master racevs. the idea of a master race——sought to maximize sought to maximize evolutionary progress through variabilityevolutionary progress through variability

Some suggest this practice should be applied to Some suggest this practice should be applied to the mentally illthe mentally ill

Softer eugenics = Restricting birthrateSofter eugenics = Restricting birthratePopulation controlPopulation control