Showing papers in "Journal of Personality Assessment in 1983"
TL;DR: The feasibility of using a shorter version of the Profile of Mood States is examined, indicating the suitability of the short version for estimating the original mood scale scores in this population of cancer patients.
Abstract: The feasibility of using a shorter version of the Profile of Mood States is examined. Eighty-three cancer patients were administered the Profile of Mood States. The scales' internal consistency (coefficient alpha) and the items' face validity were used as criteria for eliminating items. The number of items was reduced from 65 to 37 and the correlation coefficients between the short and original scales were all above .95, indicating the suitability of the short version for estimating the original mood scale scores in this population.
1,165 citations
TL;DR: Two new scales are presented that measure interaction and audience anxiousness independent of specific social behaviors, and psychometric data show them to possess high internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
Abstract: The self-report measures of social anxiety that are commonly used in social psychological and personality research confound the measurement of social anxiousness with the measurement of specific behaviors that often, but not always, accompany social anxiety. Theoretical and methodological issues regarding this problem are discussed, and two new scales are presented that measure interaction and audience anxiousness independent of specific social behaviors. Psychometric data show the scales to possess high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as strong evidence of construct and criterion validity.
632 citations
TL;DR: New concepts of test assessment and interpretation offer the promise of providing a methodological framework and theoretical foundation for further innovative use of the Rorschach and other projective procedures.
Abstract: In 1976, Blatt, Brenneis, Schimek, and Glick developed a comprehensive scale for assessing the organization and content of the "concept of the object" in Rorschach responses. Utilizing developmental theory, they developed procedures for assessing the representation of human figures on the Rorschach in terms of the degree of differentiation, articulation, and integration. This analysis of Rorschach responses has proven to be of considerable value in clinical research and ha s provided empirical data for the study of severe psychopathology. The present paper considers the clinical utility of this conceptual scheme. Five prototypic patients, each representing a particular diagnostic category, were selected for study on the basis of clinical case records. The object representations of the five cases are presented and analyzed in detail, and conclusions are drawn about possible configurations of object representations in different forms of psychopathology. The value of a systematic assessment of object represe...
137 citations
TL;DR: It was demonstrated that new A-State and A-Trait scales based on these items with high content saturation had high internal consistency reliability and low intercorrelation, and were also very highly correlated with the original STAI scales.
Abstract: This study tested the hypothesis that the correlation between the STAI A-State and A-Trait scales is spuriously high because some of the items in these scales have low content saturation. As measured by Jackson's (1970) Differential Reliability Index, content saturation was found to be high for only 7 A-State and A-Trait items. It was demonstrated that new A-State and A-Trait scales based on these items with high content saturation had high internal consistency reliability and low intercorrelation, and were also very highly correlated with the original STAI scales. These results provided strong support for the tested hypothesis. Implications of these results were discussed for revising the STAI.
131 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of test-retest reliabilities related to an anxiety-provoking social analogue involving a female confederate supported the state and trait concepts.
Abstract: The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory asserts that state anxiety varies with situational stress and that trait anxiety is related to relatively stable individual differences in proneness to anxiety. This study investigated test-retest reliabilities related to an anxiety-provoking social analogue involving a female confederate. The results, obtained from the perspective of a nonacademic anxiety situation, supported the state and trait concepts.
103 citations
TL;DR: In this population the instrument seems to measure a single global distress factor instead of nine independent symptom subscales as reported previously, corroborated by the fact that depressed, anxious, and schizophrenic patients showed no differences in SCL-90 symptom profile shapes, although they did differ in overall symptom intensity.
Abstract: This study tested whether the symptom dimension subscales derived for the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) by factor analysis could be replicated in a new sample. It was administered to 442 veterans undergoing psychiatric treatment at a VA psychiatric outpatient clinic. Factor analysis using the principal-components method yielded a factor structure different from those previously reported for other populations. The first factor extracted, Depression, explained 37% of the variance of the entire instrument, or more than eight times the variance explained by the second factor. Only five of the nine reported SCL-90 symptom subscales emerged in this study; the Anxiety and Psychoticism subscales disappeared, and the Paranoia and Interpersonal Sensitivity subscales merged. In this population, the instrument seems to measure a single global distress factor instead of nine independent symptom subscales as reported previously. This finding was corroborated by the fact that depressed, anxious, and schizophrenic patien...
97 citations
63 citations
TL;DR: The results of a meta-analysis of Rorschach studies indicate that reliabilities in the order of .83 and higher and validity coefficients of .45 or .50 and higher can be expected for the RORSchach when hypotheses supported by empirical or theoretical rationales are tested using reasonably powerful statistics.
Abstract: The results of a meta-analysis of Rorschach studies indicate that reliabilities in the order of .83 and higher and validity coefficients of .45 or .50 and higher can be expected for the Rorschach--when hypotheses supported by empirical or theoretical rationales are tested using reasonably powerful statistics. Three important determinants of variance accounted for in a variety of Rorschach scores were identified in 530 statistics from 39 papers published in the Journal of Personality Assessment from 1971 to 1980. The a priori theoretical or empirical evidence determining the likelihood of obtaining significant results, and the power of the statistic used to measure the results, as well as the interaction between the likelihood of results and the power of the statistic used, were all significant determinants of the proportion of variance accounted for in the Rorschach measures reported.
61 citations
TL;DR: Investigated the convergent and discriminant validity of the anhedonia construct using a multivariable-multimethod design and found the high degree of relationship between anhedonian and introversion, long suggested by clinicians, is confirmed and discussed.
Abstract: Investigated the convergent and discriminant validity of the anhedonia construct using a multivariable-multimethod design. The 100 subjects displayed a wide range of scores on the Physical Anhedonia Scale, many comparable to the original validation sample of diagnosed schizophrenics. Twenty-one variables were assessed by tests, 16 by subject self-ratings and 16 by peer ratings of the subject. The resultant intercorrelation matrix was analyzed by Golding and Seidman's (1974) two-step principal components procedure. Five of the six second-order components showed good and conceptually meaningful cross method convergence and were named. Pleasureless Introversion, Neurotic Maladjustment, Dependency, Hedonic Deficit #1, Hedonic Deficit#2, and Coarctation. Hedonic Deficits #1 and #2 were shown to be independent from neuroticism, depression, and guilt. The high degree of relationship between anhedonia and introversion, long suggested by clinicians, is confirmed and discussed. Notes on the construct validity of Ch...
41 citations
TL;DR: Survey data indicate that traditional psychodiagnostic methods continue to be widely used and taught, and new directions in professional practice are providing increasing opportunities for clinical psychologists to find rewarding roles as expert diagnostic consultants.
Abstract: Convergence among theoretical perspectives in clinical psychology during the last decade has moderated many earlier disputes concerning the worth and propriety of personality assessment. Survey data indicate that traditional psychodiagnostic methods continue to be widely used and taught. New directions in professional practice, especially in relation to health and forensic concerns, are providing increasing opportunities for clinical psychologists to find rewarding roles as expert diagnostic consultants.
36 citations
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that an unstructured interview (INT) and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) are suitable alternatives to Loevinger's Sentence Completion Test of Ego Development.
Abstract: This study demonstrates that an unstructured interview (INT) and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) are suitable alternatives to Loevinger's Sentence Completion Test of Ego Development. Seventy subjects were solicited from six groups varying widely with respect to age and education level. Each subject was asked to complete the SCI, an INT and the TAT. Two raters using Loevinger and Wessler's self-training exercises and Loevinger, Wessler, and Redmore's scoring manual rated subjects' responses to each instrument. Reliability was found between raters and concurrent validity between instruments. Subjects scoring high on the SCT were found to score higher on the INT and TAT.
TL;DR: Psychiatric inpatients had higher scores than normals on fantasies of death, withdrawal, restitution, suffering, God, and closeness, and SFQ scales correlated significantly with MMPI scales and demographic characteristics as well with staff ratings of the inpat patients.
Abstract: The concept of the sustaining fantasy and the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ), an instrument for its measurement, is introduced. Sustaining fantasies represent characteristic ways to ameliorate intense negative affect or to restore self-esteem. The responses of 134 psychiatric inpatients were used to construct ten scales. The SFQ and MMPI were then administered to 125 nonpatients. Psychiatric inpatients had higher scores than normals on fantasies of death, withdrawal, restitution, suffering, God, and closeness. Fantasies of power and revenge, admiration of self, competition and aesthetics did not differentiate between groups. SFQ scales correlated significantly with MMPI scales and demographic characteristics as well with staff ratings of the inpatients.
TL;DR: The results of the laboratory experiment indicated that there is strong clear evidence of self-sabotage under conditions of success among subjects who scored high on the FOS questionnaire.
Abstract: This study constructed an instrument which identifies people who fear success (FOS) in academic areas and conducted a laboratory study which tested the instrument's predictive validity. The theoretical formulation of the FOS phenomenon leads to the expectation that individuals high in the fear of success would demonstrate the following characteristics: low self-esteem, a preoccupation with the evaluative aspects of situations, a competitive orientation, repudiation of competence, and self-sabotage at the approach or attainment of success. The fear of success questionnaire is an 83-item scale with a reliability of .90. In a 2 × 2 factorial design, subjects identified by the FOS questionnaire were given either Success or nonsuccess feedback after completing the first of two equivalent reading tests. The results of the laboratory experiment indicated that there is strong clear evidence of self-sabotage under conditions of success among subjects who scored high on the FOS questionnaire.
TL;DR: Results indicate that marijuana, relative to placebo, caused subjects to write stories with a higher proportion of primary process content than they had included in baseline stories.
Abstract: Seventy-two normal adult male subjects wrote TAT stories under baseline and either placebo- or marijuana-ingestion conditions. Marijuana subjects received 20 mg. doses of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The stories were keypunched and content analyzed with the Regressive Imagery Dictionary, which yields a score for primary process content. Results indicate that marijuana, relative to placebo, caused subjects to write stories with a higher proportion of primary process content than they had included in baseline stories.
TL;DR: Card pull, the tendency of the test stimuli to evoke or predispose certain cognitive and affective responses in the subject, is essential to the understanding and practice of projective testing.
Abstract: Card pull, the tendency of the test stimuli to evoke or predispose certain cognitive and affective responses in the subject, is essential to the understanding and practice of projective testing. The basic instruction in projective testing employs the subjunctive mood to catalyze the dialectic between actuality and potentiality inherent in the projective stimulus. The subject is encouraged to play with the stimulus, to modify fact, to forsake the literal and the concrete, and to toy with the reality-stuff of the stimulus. Various conceptions of projective stimuli are reviewed and considered nondefinitive of projective testing. Projective testing is tentatively defined as a state of mind, a temporary but adaptive collusion shared between tester and subject which involves the former inviting the latter to modify a sample of reality.
TL;DR: This study explored the characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder classification, specified in DSM-III, by comparing MMPI profiles of 29 male veteran inpatients with a diagnosis of Borderline personality disorder with the profiles of 26 similar inpat patients with diagnoses of other personality disorders.
Abstract: This study explored the characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder classification, specified in DSM-III. MMPI profiles of 29 male veteran inpatients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder were compared with the profiles of 26 similar inpatients with diagnoses of other personality disorders. The borderline group had higher elevations (p less than .05) on six of the 13 standard MMPI scales. Analyses showed the borderline profiles to be of a significantly higher elevation but no different in either profile shape or dispersion. A discriminant analysis accounted for 43.7% of the variance and correctly classified 78.2% of the patients. Results are discussed in terms of possible explanations for the high F scores of the borderline group. Implications regarding characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder are discussed.
TL;DR: Rorschach data for 272 Black children are presented in age groups from 3 to 12, and compared with Ames and Exner reveal a lower form accuracy level, and a lower percentage of Wholes, with a higher D level.
Abstract: Rorschach data for 272 Black children are presented in age groups from 3 to 12. The Rorschach characteristics presented are F+%, A%, Fabulized Combinations, Perseverations, Color Naming, Rejections, Wholes, Details, Small Details (Dd), R, M, and P. Comparisons with Ames and Exner reveal a lower form accuracy level, and a lower percentage of Wholes, with a higher D level.
TL;DR: Broad trends in the test performance of patients within the borderline range are described with regard to: intelligence and cognitive operations, thought and language, reality testing, organization of affect, configuration of defenses, structure of the object world, dynamics and the interpersonal aspects of the test process.
Abstract: Despite the surge of interest in borderline psychopathology in psychiatric quarters, contributions from the perspective of psychological testing have been few. A brief delineation of the range of borderline psychopathology is offered. Broad trends in the test performance of patients within the borderline range are described with regard to: intelligence and cognitive operations, thought and language, reality testing, organization of affect, configuration of defenses, structure of the object world, dynamics and the interpersonal aspects of the test process.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that externals are doubly impaired: their bias toward perceived response-outcome independence is given up when it would be most helpful, that is, when environmental cues suggest control in an objectively uncontrollable situation.
Abstract: Tested the hypothesis that individuals with an external locus of control are sensitive to the occurrence of noncontingency and will not display the illusion of control. Internals, who view outcomes as response dependent, should succumb to the illusion. One hundred thirty-eight students were asked to judge the amount of control they had over the onset of a noncontingent green light in one of two conditions: 25% green light onset and 75% green light onset. Both internals and externals demonstrated the illusion of control: they rated themselves as having more control when they received a green light on 75% of the trials, despite the fact that green light onset was response independent. These findings suggest that externals are doubly impaired. Their bias toward perceived response-outcome independence is given up when it would be most helpful, that is, when environmental cues suggest control in an objectively uncontrollable situation.
TL;DR: Results of discriminant analysis indicated differentiating patterns of responses with random profiles generally elevated, and the "F greater than 80 and TR greater than 4" rule was found to have the greatest clinical utility at correctly classifying random responders.
Abstract: In clinical practice, indicators of random or irrelevant responses on MMPI protocols are typically not examined, and, if obtained, assumed to be the result of either gross psychopathology or attempts to malinger. A sample of 40 computer-generated random profiles and 40 profiles of forensic outpatients were compared on validity scales, clinical scales, and scales specially designed to detect randomness (TR index and Carelessness Scale). Results of discriminant analysis indicated differentiating patterns of responses with random profiles generally elevated. Further, the accuracy of several clinical decisions rules were evaluated. The "F greater than 80 and TR greater than 4" rule was found to have the greatest clinical utility at correctly classifying random responders.
TL;DR: The results were seen to contradict recent claims regarding the validity of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory as a discriminator of violent behavior.
Abstract: Scores on the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) were analyzed in relation to violent versus nonviolent criminality and ethnic group membership within a sample of adult, male offenders. Although the white, Mexican-American, and black subjects differed on both psychometric and criminological variables, there was no statistically significant association between these predictors and criteria for either the total sample or the individual ethnic groups. The results were seen to contradict recent claims regarding the validity of the BDHI as a discriminator of violent behavior.
TL;DR: Data from the first two childhood memories was used to distinguish 15 delinquents from 18 nondelinquent controls and a coding system, devised from the memories of the delinquents and nondelquents, successfully identified 80% and 100% of the delinquent and non-delinquents.
Abstract: Data from the first two childhood memories was used to distinguish 15 delinquents from 18 nondelinquent controls. Subjects were male, middle class, 15-17 years of age, and equated for verbal IQ. All delinquents were property offenders. A coding system, devised from the memories of the delinquents and nondelinquents, successfully identified 80% of the delinquents and 100% of the nondelinquents. These prediction rates exceeded those from three clinicians experienced in working with a comparable delinquent population The coding system was then discussed in terms of the axioms and presuppositions which are suggested by the memories of the delinquent sample.
TL;DR: The high stress group reported more state anxiety but no more Sh than did the other group, suggestive of the test's lack of sensitivity to mild, laboratory social-evaluative stress.
Abstract: It is generally assumed that Rorschach shading responses (Sh) are related to anxiety, especially state anxiety. To test this hypothesis, 60 nonpatients were administered Rorschachs, 30 under high social-evaluative stress and 30 under minimal stress. The high stress group reported more state anxiety but no more Sh than did the other group. These negative findings were interpreted as suggestive of the test's lack of sensitivity to mild, laboratory social-evaluative stress.
TL;DR: A careful review of scoring systems indicates the current status of objective approaches as contrasted with interpretation that is global, intuitive, and subjective in the Bender-Gestalt Visual Motor Test.
Abstract: Although the Bender-Gestalt Visual Motor Test has been a popular and influential clinical assessment instrument for the last half century, authoritative opinion and a substantial research literature are often inconsistent or contradictory. This paper documents variations in designs, administration procedures, forms, and applications to particular populations. A careful review of scoring systems indicates the current status of objective approaches as contrasted with interpretation that is global, intuitive, and subjective. Some implications of these variations and interpretive procedures for training and assessment practice are discussed. The major conclusions of the review are summarized in seven points.
TL;DR: The development and cross-validation of a 31-item MMPI Gender Dysphoria subscale (Gd) which accurately discriminates between gender identity patients and matched controls, and identifies males with gender dysphoria syndrome is reported.
Abstract: This study reported on the development and cross-validation of a 31-item MMPI Gender Dysphoria subscale (Gd) which accurately discriminates between gender identity patients and matched controls, and identifies males with gender dysphoria syndrome. Both the validity and reliability of the Gd scale has been demonstrated and there is every expectation that the scale has excellent potential for clinical usage. In the construction of the Gd scale, we have addressed the major methodological problems of previous studies which have used psychological tests to assess gender role and identity disturbances: small criterion groups, a lack of an appropriate control group, and prediction of too many false positives.
TL;DR: The Rorschach of an authenticated mate multiple personality was presented and the protocol was found to conform to recently developed guidelines for diagnosing the syndrome with the RORSchach.
Abstract: The Rorschach of an authenticated mate multiple personality was presented. The protocol was found to conform to recently developed guidelines for diagnosing the syndrome with the Rorschach. The rationale behind the decision rules and the psychodynamics of multiplicity were discussed.
TL;DR: A linear combination of WAIS scale scores was identified that discriminated at least as well as the clinical WAIS-Rorschach comparisons.
Abstract: This study assesses the degree to Which indicators from the Rorschach and the WAIS discriminate between the two groups of psychiatric inpatients diagnosed as having either borderline or psychotic personality organization by means of Kernberg's structural interview. A combination of WAIS scores focusing on the Picture Completion subtest, and Rorschach form level proved to be discriminators. These were interpreted as primarily reflecting reality testing. A linear combination of WAIS scale scores was identified that discriminated at least as well as the clinical WAIS-Rorschach comparisons.
TL;DR: This review examines the current status of research on indicators of anxiety in the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP) and finds methodological problems with this research include failure to control for drawing quality and intelligence, confounding anxiety measurement with defensive response style, and inadequate validation of the scoring systems.
Abstract: This review examines the current status of research on indicators of anxiety in the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP). Experimental studies have used stress induction while correlational studies have typically employed the Manifest Anxiety Scale as criterion. Three scoring systems (Engle-Suppes, Handler, Royal) have included most of the available anxiety indices. Methodological problems with this research include failure to control for drawing quality and intelligence, confounding anxiety measurement with defensive response style, and inadequate validation of the scoring systems. Results of the review are summarized in eight specific conclusions.
TL;DR: While much critical research remains to be done and many of the studies are flawed, projective testing has contributed a great deal to the understanding of the aging process and has yielded a core of consistent findings.
Abstract: The projective test literature on aging is reviewed. It was concluded that, while much critical research remains to be done and many of the studies are flawed, projective testing has contributed a great deal to the understanding of the aging process and has yielded a core of consistent findings. Suggestions for future research which would help resolve some current ambiguities were made.