Towards the Investigation of Personality Deviance

Abstract

This study derives from Foulds' (1971) model of personality deviance and is concerned with identifying measures of deviant traits characteristic of personality deviants of the ‘psychopathic’ type. The Character Disorder Scale of the SSI (Foulds, 1967) was employed as the criterion measure and three groups of female patients were studied. By the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov one‐sample test, 16 PF G, L and Q3 satisfied Foulds' distribution criterion for measures of deviant traits. Patients were described in terms of patterns of scores on these factors and two patterns associated with personality deviance were identified. These patterns accounted for half of the sample. None of the other six logically possible patterns was clearly associated with personality deviance. Cross‐validation was considered satisfactory. Further support was obtained using a different criterion of personality deviance (a rating scale devised by Presly & Walton, 1973). Since this study dealt only with the distributions of 16 PF scores, evidence of the temporal stability of G, L and Q3, and also the relevance of these measures to personality deviance of the psychopathic type, are discussed. Finally, some of the problems arising from the use of personality categories are considered.

A further test of Foulds' personality and personal illness differentiae in a psychiatric group

“…Recently (Bedford et al 1976;Foulds, 1971Foulds, , 1976Horvath et al 1973;Mclver & Presly, 1974;Philip, 1971;Presly, 1971), the stabilitychange, distributions and differentiating characteristics of scores have been examined for such tests as: the Sympton-Sign Inventory, Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory, and the Personality Deviance Scales, together with Cattell's 16PF and Neuroticism questionnaires and Beck's Depression Scale.…”

Foulds' “general instability” and “psychopathy” 16PF scales and their relationship to psychiatric mood state

“…To the contrary, McIver and Presly (1974) concentrated solely on Foulds' distribution criterion for measures of deviant traits. In their patient group they concluded that of the 16PF scales, only G, L and Q3 measure deviant traits characteristic of personality deviants of the psychopathic type.…”