Glossary
16PF
What is the 16PF?
The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) is a personality assessment developed from Raymond Cattell’s work with factor analysis, a statistical method for finding patterns among related measures. Most of its scales ask people to describe themselves. Its Reasoning scale is different: it contains questions with right and wrong answers.
What Are the 16 Personality Factors?
The 2014 International Reference Manual lists 16 primary scales:
| Code | Scale | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| A | Warmth | Interest in interpersonal closeness. |
| B | Reasoning | Performance on brief reasoning problems. |
| C | Emotional Stability | Emotional reactivity versus composure. |
| E | Dominance | Readiness to assert one’s position. |
| F | Liveliness | Spontaneous versus restrained expression. |
| G | Rule-Consciousness | Orientation toward rules and duties. |
| H | Social Boldness | Readiness to enter unfamiliar social situations. |
| I | Sensitivity | Weight given to feelings and aesthetics. |
| L | Vigilance | Suspicion versus trust of others. |
| M | Abstractedness | Attention to ideas versus practical matters. |
| N | Privateness | Selectiveness about personal disclosure. |
| O | Apprehension | Self-doubt and worry. |
| Q1 | Openness to Change | Preference for experimentation versus familiarity. |
| Q2 | Self-Reliance | Preference for acting alone versus with others. |
| Q3 | Perfectionism | Preference for order and self-discipline. |
| Q4 | Tension | Restlessness versus ease. |
The Five Global Factors
The global scores combine related primary scales. Cattell and Schuerger’s Fifth Edition guide explains their structure:
- Extraversion: overall orientation toward social engagement.
- Anxiety: susceptibility to distress.
- Tough-Mindedness: practical, unsentimental orientation rather than receptivity.
- Independence: asserting one’s direction rather than accommodating others.
- Self-Control: restraint and organization rather than following impulses.
A global score compresses detail; the primary scales show the contributing tendencies.
Interpreting 16PF Results
The inclusion of Reasoning makes the 16PF relevant to discussions about measuring personality alongside cognitive ability. It is a brief ability scale, however, and should be read as such. When using a report, check which edition was administered, who its comparison group represents, and what evidence supports the decision you want to make. A personality profile is not, on its own, a verdict on someone’s suitability for a job.