Validation Through Self and Other Ratings on Dimensions of Six Nonstressful Multi-Scaled Personality Instruments

Abstract

Six nonstressful personality instruments were concurrently validated using respondent and close friend ratings on specific scale dimensions. Tests were administered to 203 predominantly Caucasian college students. Prior to testing, the individual and a close friend through self-ratings and ratings of the respondents had estimated the strengths of the tested personality Variables on a seven-point scale. The definitions of the various personality dimensions were taken from publisher's manuals. An estimated whole test validity was obtained by an average of the individual scale validities using a conversion of Pearson's r to z'. Significant differences among and between subtest validities were found by ANOVA. All "self-rating" validities were significant (.001), with two of these self-rating validities significantly different (.01) than the other four tests. Only two "other-rating" validities were significant. All six tests appeared to be valid for college population use From preliminary analysis, counselees could rate themselves accurately on most test measures. In some cases self-ratings might be used in lieu of giving the test.