An analysis of the California test of personality; intermediate series, form A
Creators: name: Kenny, Douglas Timothy
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2012

description: The purpose of this thesis was to make a comprehensive statistical evaluation of the California Test of Personality, Intermediate Series, Form A. This test was given to 175 boys and 155 girls in ten classes in Grade VIII, and 125 boys and 125 girls in eight classes in Grade X. All subjects were tested as a group in their respective classes at the Kitsilano Junior-Senior High School, Vancouver, British Columbia. Of the students originally tested, 100 students in each of the two grades were retested approximately six and one half months later. In resume of the results, one may say that within the limits of this study the following general conclusions appear. 1. There were significant differences between the mean scores at the 1% level between Grade VIII and X students on self adjustment, sense of personal worth, social adjustment, freedom from anti-social tendencies, school relations and total adjustment. Significant sex differences exist on various measures, both within grades and between grades. Where significant grade and sex differences exist, a separate set of norms should be used in scoring such groups. 2. The manual norms would appear to be of little value in the school system where this study took place. 3. Because of the high average scores on the various measures and the extreme negative skewness on many of the subtests, these measures probably do not discriminate between those students who are exceptionally well adjusted from those who are well adjusted. 4. The Kuder-Richardson reliabilities of the subtests indicate that they are not high enough for individual diagnosis. The total adjustment score for Grade VIII pupils is the only measure sufficiently reliable for individual diagnosis. The test-retest reliabilities indicate that what is being measured is perhaps something transitory, rather than the fundamental pattern or organization of personality. 5. According to an item analysis, the test appears to be more valid or internally consistent for Grade VIII students than for Grade X students. 6. Because items are more valid when correlated with subtest score than when correlated with self or social or total adjustment score, it is suggested that the scores on the subtests may be more meaningful than those on self or social or total adjustment. 7. The correlation between the Detroit Adjustment Inventory and the California Test of Personality is .51, and when corrected for attenuation it becomes .65. 8. Correlations between five measures on the California Test of Personality and teacher ratings of adjustment vary from -.145 to +.223. 9. In the main there are significant relationships between the various subtests. The subtests are probably not measuring uncorrelated unique traits. 10. The findings of correlation cluster analysis, correlation profile analysis and factor analysis tend to corroborate one another. Three factors or clusters of traits will account for most of the relationships among the subtests. Factor one was named a general adjustment factor, factor two was described as a sense of personal security or self assurance, and factor three was related primarily to cordial relations with people and respect for social standards.