The Convergence of the California Q-set and the California Psychological Inventory: Gender as a Critical Variable

Abstract

Clinician-report California Q-set and self-report California Psychological Inventory data were compared to explore convergence and divergence between these two modes of personality assessment. Based on responses from a sample of 215 approximately 50-year-old men and women, the self-report California Psychological Inventory data were converted to California Q-set item values using previously determined redundancy analysis formulae. These data were then correlated with composite clinicians' ratings, using the same California Q-set items. Substantial convergence was found for both genders on four of six derived components--Empowerment, Intellectuality, Nonconformity, and Outgoingness. Two additional components--Psychological Health and Bodily Concern--showed convergence for women only. We argue analysis of item content and scores must be done for each gender separately.

Patterns of personality change across the life span.

“…Although the data used here are remarkable in their detail and amount of the life span covered, they are not beyond criticism. First, personality component scores are derived from clinicians’ ratings of individuals and therefore will differ both systematically (Jones, Livson, & Peskin, 1995) and unsystematically with self-report. Clinicians were well-trained, and participants, for the most part, felt free to discuss their lives, yet certainly aspects of personality may be hidden from observers.…”

Developmental paths of psychological health from early adolescence to later adulthood.

“…One possible difficulty of many psychological health measures is that they rely on self-reported responses to relatively transparent items (e.g., “I hate myself” from the Beck Depression Inventory). A systematic lack of convergence between self-reported and clinician-reported psychological health has been found by some researchers (Jones, Livson, & Peskin, 1995; Shedler, Mayman, & Manis, 1993). Clearly, clinician report of individuals' psychological health is less contaminated by a potentially self-interested, defensive reporter.…”

“…A systematic lack of convergence between self-reported and clinician-reported psychological health has been found by some researchers (Jones, Livson, & Peskin, 1995;Shedler, Mayman, & Manis, 1993). Clearly, clinician report of individuals' psychological health is less contaminated by a potentially self-interested, defensive reporter.…”