NCJ Number
79960
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychology Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 874-879
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examines the relationship between the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the Psychological Screening Inventory (PSI) in two British samples.
Abstract
The EPQ contains scales for measuring dimensions of extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism, as well as a lie scale and a criminal propensity scale (designed to differentiate criminals from noncriminals). The PSI contains five scales that are labeled in such a way as to underplay pathological implications in order to avoid possible misuse of the test by users untrained in psychology. These scales are alienation, social nonconformity, expression and discomfort, and defensiveness. The PSI and EPQ were administered to 100 reformatory inmates and 100 students who were taking trade training classes. All subjects were literate and between 17 and 20 years of age. They were of similar low socioeconomic status. A factorial analysis was performed on both of the resulting sets of intercorrelations, and two factors were found to account for over 85 percent of the variance in each group. The first factor was common to both groups and was labeled 'neuroticism.' While the second factor in the delinquent group clearly could be seen to be extraversion, the second factor in the student group was not interpreted easily but appeared to be a dimension that represented psychiatric and antisocial problems. Tables and 15 references are included. (Author abstract modified)