Abstract

1. We introduce a system for measuring Neuroticism using sentence completions. The Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) were administered to two samples (N = 89). The rating system was developed using members of the first sample who were high or low on self-reported Neuroticism, then cross-validated on the second sample. The two measures of Neuroticism correlated at r = .62 and r= .51 in the two samples (both p<.01). Preliminary inter-rater reliability findings are excellent (ICC = .90 for single ratings). Abstract Introduction Discussion As shown in Table 1, RISB-rated Neuroticism correlated strongly with self-reported Neuroticism, was uncorrelated with Psychoticism, and correlated negatively with Extraversion. Self-reported Extraversion and Neuroticism also correlated negatively. Table 1 Correlations between RISB-Rated Neuroticism and Self-Reported P-E-N Traits, Sample #1 RISB + P E N L PEN Trait Psychoticism +.08 - +.05 +.16 -.13 Extraversion -.40** - -.29** -.07 Neuroticism +.63*** - -.36** Lie -.25 * p<.05; ** p<.01; *** p<.001 Table 2 shows the results of the cross-validation study. Despite validity shrinkage, RISB-rated and self-reported-rated Neuroticism still correlated strongly. The negative correlation with Extraversion also persisted, and actually grew to equal that with Neuroticism. As in the first sample, self-report data also showed a significant negative correlation between Extraversion and Neuroticism, but a much weaker one. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC = .90 for single raters). Table 2 Correlations between RISB-Rated Neuroticism and Self-Reported P-E-N Traits, Sample #2 RISB + P E N L PEN Trait Psychoticism +.16 - -.08 +.01 -.08 Extraversion -.52*** - -.34* -.25 Neuroticism +.51*** - +.01 Lie +.18 References Indicators of Low Neuroticism References to having fun, enjoying oneself, feeling excited in a positive way (includes upbeat references to sports, dancing, etc.); Describing oneself or one’s life as happy, optimal, etc.; Describing oneself as confident, strong, etc.; to one’s mind as sharp, focused, energetic; Clear-cut optimism (not qualified); References to personal victories, triumphs, etc.; Expressed liking for other people in general, or for groups of people, especially family Negative feelings about sports or other physical activities, especially if implying that the writer cannot do well at such tasks Contact For further information contact: sjoy@albertus.edu The Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB; Rotter, Lah, & Rafferty, 1992) is a popular semi-projective personality measure. Its objective scoring system enjoys strong reliability and validity, but is limited to a single variable: global adjustment. Being able to derive valid estimates of personality traits from an RISB protocol would enhance its value. Neuroticism (“N”) has been recognized as an important personality trait since Hans J. Eysenck’sseminal research; variants are included in every major trait model. “N” involves frequent experiences of negative affect, strong reactions to stressors with slow return to baseline, and vulnerability to milder forms of psychiatric illness. The goal of the present study was to use a combination of theory and empirical keying to develop a rating system for Neuroticism as expressed in sentence completions. Trait Neuroticism is expressed through one’s verbal productions, including sentence completions, and can be judged reliably using a fairly simple rating system. More work needs to be done to develop the scoring manual to the point where independent judges could be counted on to obtain similar scores, and to reduce the overlap between Neuroticism and Extraversion. Combined with our previous reports that Psychoticism and Extraversion also can be evaluated accurately based on sentence completions, this suggests a whole new range of usefulness for the RISB in personality assessment. F0608: Low Neuroticism Female, Age 18 I like…having fun I failed… my math quiz The happiest time…is in the summer on the beach Reading… is very enjoyable I want to know… what to get people for Christmas My mind… is not focused Back home… I have a wonderful family The future… is very unpredictable I regret… not doing better in school I need… love in my life At bedtime… I set my alarm Marriage… is definitely in my future Men… are very fun to have around I am best when… I am with my friends The best… person I know is my Mom Sometimes… I miss my cat What annoys me… is when my room is messy What pains me… is seeing people suffer People… are very interesting I hate… doing papers A mother… loves her family This school… is amazing! I feel… very cold I am very… organized My greatest fear… is not being happy The only trouble I have is keeping my room clean In high school… I was a cheerleader I wish… for world peace I can’t… figure out math very well My father… is very funny Sports… are fun to watch I secretly… want a serious boyfriend When I was a child… I grew up in [name of town] I… am content with my life My nerves… are focused on math Dancing… is the best thing to do! Other people… are better in math My greatest worry is… death I suffer… from not sleeping Most women… are emotional Results Two samples of undergraduates were tested. The first sample (N = 45) included 35 females; the second (N = 44), 31 females. All participants completed the RISB and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1985). The EPQ-R is a 100-item self-report inventory that measures the “Really Big Three” traits of Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism. The first author studied the RISB protocols for the 12 participants with the highest EPQ-R “N” scores and the 12 with the lowest “N” scores. Responses or themes that occurred disproportionately in one group or the other were used to derive the original RISB Neuroticism scale. The second author rated all 45 RISB protocols using this system; these scores were then correlated with EPQ-R scores. The second author then rated the RISB protocols from the second sample in order to cross-validate the original results. Two other judges rated a subset of the protocols so as to check for inter-rater reliability. S0621B: High Neuroticism Female, Age 21 I like…relaxing I failed… at loving myself The happiest time… is during Christmas Reading… helps me escape the real world I want to know… what I’m supposed to do My mind… worries far too much with my life The future… scares the crap out of me Back home… I miss my cat I need… to feel wanted I regret… some things I’ve said Marriage… is something I look forward to At bedtime… I worry too much I am best when… I’m around good people Men…can be jerks Sometimes… I just want to be alone The best… feeling is being thought of What pains me… is that some people don’t What annoys me… is rude people deserve what they have People… at my school can be ignorant I hate… people who get away with everything A mother… should love her family This school… is too much like high school I feel… tired and anxious I am very… thoughtful My greatest fear…is not being smart enough The only trouble… is I don’t have or want a job In high school… I felt left out I wish… I was smarter in my major I can’t… be totally happy My father… is a smart man Sports… are tiring I secretly… want to never work in my life When I was a child… I was spoiled I… wish I was still in bed My nerves… get the best of me Dancing… is something I do when I’m drunk Other people… can annoy me My greatest worry is… not achieving my goals I suffer… from depression and anxiety disorders Most women… are materialistic Indicators of High Neuroticism References to experiencing negative emotions or symptoms such as fear, anxiety, “stress,” depression, or guilt (feeling “tired” is not scored), or to internalizing forms of psychopathology such as Panic Disorder; References to being unable to cope, overwhelmed by life’s challenges, especially if not attributed to a single specific situation; to being inadequate or unable to do things one would like to do (e.g., in sports or dancing); to wishing to escape from responsibilities of real life; References to unhappiness with one’s home life, family members, or romantic partner (not just “lost love” in a single relationship); References to love as unattainable, as desired but unlikely to be found; to a strong desire to be loved or cared for that implies such caring is not part of the respondent’s actual life; References to being frightened or pushed around by people (note: being “annoyed” by them is not scored: being “bothered” may, if context implies fear or submission); References to people at large, or entire groups of people, as mean, cruel, “catty,” or rejecting of the respondent; to oneself as a social isolate/outcast (not by preference); A desire to relieve stress, find relaxation, implying that this is not the respondent’s usual state – especially if unaccompanied by references to positive affects/enjoyment; Expressed desire to be better, psychologically healthier, get over one’s problems; or to have life somehow be changed for the better Method Albertus Magnus College Stephen P. Joy, Ph.D. Michael Lennon, B.A. USING SENTENCE COMPLETIONS TO MEASURE NEUROTICISM