Below is a table outlining the personality traits measured by the 16PF Questionnaire.
| Descriptors of Low Range | Primary Factor | Descriptors of High Range |
|---|---|---|
| Impersonal, distant, cool, reserved, detached, formal, aloof | Warmth (A) |
Warm, outgoing, attentive to others, kindly, easy-going, participating, likes people |
| Concrete thinking, lower general mental capacity, less intelligent, unable to handle abstract problems | Reasoning (B) |
Abstract-thinking, more intelligent, bright, higher general mental capacity, fast learner |
| Reactive emotionally, changeable, affected by feelings, emotionally less stable, easily upset | Emotional Stability (C) |
Emotionally stable, adaptive, mature, faces reality calmly |
| Deferential, cooperative, avoids conflict, submissive, humble, obedient, easily led, docile, accommodating | Dominance (E) |
Dominant, forceful, assertive, aggressive, competitive, stubborn, bossy |
| Serious, restrained, prudent, taciturn, introspective, silent | Liveliness (F) |
Lively, animated, spontaneous, enthusiastic, happy go lucky, cheerful, expressive, impulsive |
| Expedient, nonconforming, disregards rules, self-indulgent | Rule-Consciousness (G) |
Rule-conscious, dutiful, conscientious, conforming, moralistic, staid, rule bound |
| Shy, threat-sensitive, timid, hesitant, intimidated | Social Boldness (H) |
Socially bold, venturesome, thick skinned, uninhibited |
| Utilitarian, objective, unsentimental, tough minded, self-reliant, no-nonsense, rough | Sensitivity (I) |
Sensitive, aesthetic, sentimental, tender minded, intuitive, refined |
| Trusting, unsuspecting, accepting, unconditional, easy | Vigilance (L) |
Vigilant, suspicious, skeptical, distrustful, oppositional |
| Grounded, practical, prosaic, solution oriented, steady, conventional | Abstractedness (M) |
Abstract, imaginative, absent minded, impractical, absorbed in ideas |
| Forthright, genuine, artless, open, guileless, naive, unpretentious, involved | Privateness (N) |
Private, discreet, nondisclosing, shrewd, polished, worldly, astute, diplomatic |
| Self-Assured, unworried, complacent, secure, free of guilt, confident, self-satisfied | Apprehension (O) |
Apprehensive, self doubting, worried, guilt prone, insecure, worrying, self blaming |
| Traditional, attached to familiar, conservative, respecting traditional ideas | Openness to Change (Q1) |
Open to change, experimental, liberal, analytical, critical, free thinking, flexibility |
| Group-oriented, affiliative, a joiner and follower dependent | Self-Reliance (Q2) |
Self-reliant, solitary, resourceful, individualistic, self-sufficient |
| Tolerates disorder, unexacting, flexible, undisciplined, lax, self-conflict, impulsive, careless of social rules, uncontrolled | Perfectionism (Q3) |
Perfectionistic, organized, compulsive, self-disciplined, socially precise, exacting will power, control, self-sentimental |
| Relaxed, placid, tranquil, torpid, patient, composed low drive | Tension (Q4) |
Tense, high energy, impatient, driven, frustrated, over wrought, time driven. |
| Primary Factors and Descriptors in Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Model (Adapted From Conn & Rieke, 1994). | ||