A Large Scale Cross-Validation of Second-Order Personality Structure Defined by the 16PF

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Abstract
The second-order factors structure of the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) was cross-validated on a large sample ( N = 17,381) of normal males and females. Subjects were sampled across a broad range of ages, socioeconomic levels, education, geographic location, and ethnicity. The purposes of this investigation were (1) to provide a precise definition of 16PF second-order factor structure, (2) to shed additional light on the nature of two second-order factors that have been previously identified but described as “unstable” and “poorly reproduced,” and (3) to determine the extent to which common factor estimation formulas for men and women would prove satisfactory for applied work. The resulting solutions were congruent with previous studies and showed a high degree of simple structure. Support was provided for one, but not both, of the two additional second-order factors. Results also supported the use of simplified estimation formulas for applied use.