scholarly journals Reducing the Overlap Between Machiavellianism and Subclinical Psychopathy: The M7 and P7 Scales

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Grosz ◽  
Peter D. Harms ◽  
Michael Dufner ◽  
Livia Kraft ◽  
Eunike Wetzel

Machiavellianism (Mach) and subclinical psychopathy are two widely studied antagonistic personality traits with distinct theoretical conceptualizations. Mach is conceptualized by strategic deviousness, cynicism, and pragmatic morality, whereas subclinical psychopathy is conceptualized by impulsive antisocial tendencies, callousness, and rule-breaking. However, existing measures of the two traits are typically highly correlated and have very similar nomological networks. Notably, even though psychopathy scales should be more strongly positively associated with antisocial impulsivity and more strongly negatively associated with conscientiousness than Mach scales, existing Mach and psychopathy scales tend to be similarly related to these constructs. We created a new Mach scale, the M7, and a new psychopathy scale, the P7, by selecting items from existing Mach and psychopathy scales on the basis of the correlations of these items with antisocial impulsivity and conscientiousness. Across three studies (combined N = 4,607), the M7 and P7 showed acceptable to good psychometric properties in terms of closeness to unidimensionality, measurement precision, temporal stability, measurement invariance across language and gender groups, and convergent and discriminant validity (nomological network, self-other agreement, and interpersonal perceptions in group interactions). Most importantly, the new scales assess clearly distinct latent traits that are more in line with their theoretical conceptualizations than established scales are.

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 763-771
Author(s):  
Jorge Zamarripa ◽  
Manuel De la Cruz ◽  
Kathryn Valenzuela ◽  
Andrés Castro-Zamora ◽  
Luis Durazo-Terán

  Debido a las altas tasas de sedentarismo que presenta la población mexicana y las diferencias por género reportadas en otros estudios en las etapas de cambio, es necesario contar con un instrumento fiable y valido para medir las etapas de cambio hacia el ejercicio físico en la población mexicana indistintamente del género. El objetivo de este estudio fue confirmar la estructura factorial y analizar las propiedades psicométricas e invarianza factorial a través de los grupos de género del URICA-E2 en la población adulta mexicana. La muestra estuvo conformada por 871 personas adultas (49.19% hombres, 50.81% mujeres, Medad = 33.26; DT = 13.99; rango = 18–76 años) habitantes del área metropolitana de Monterrey, Nuevo León y Hermosillo, Sonora, México. Se utilizó una versión del URICA-E2 traducido al español, adaptado al contexto y cultura mexicana. Se evaluó la consistencia interna, la fiabilidad compuesta y la varianza media extraída. De igual forma, se analizó la validez convergente y discriminante del instrumento. El análisis factorial confirmatorio, demostró una estructura de seis factores y los análisis multigrupo apoyaron la invarianza factorial estricta de la versión mexicana del URICA-E2 a través de los grupos de género. Los resultados mostraron una consistencia interna aceptable y brindaron evidencia de la validez convergente y discriminante de la versión mexicana del URICA-E2. La versión mexicana del URICA-E2 es un instrumento válido y fiable que puede ser utilizado en estudios futuros.  Abstract. Due to the high rates of sedentary lifestyle that the Mexican population presents and the differences by gender reported in other studies in the stages of change; it is necessary to have a reliable and valid instrument to measure the stages of change towards physical exercise in the Mexican population regardless of gender. The purpose of this study was to confirm the factorial structure and to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial invariance across the URICA-E2 gender groups in the Mexican adult population. The sample consisted in 871 adults (49.19% men, 50.81% women, Mage = 33.26; SD = 13.99; range = 18 - 76 years) inhabitants of the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo León and Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. A version of the URICA-E2 translated into Spanish was used, adapted to the Mexican context and culture. Internal consistency, composite reliability, and average variance extracted were evaluated. Similarly, the convergent and discriminant validity of the instrument was analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a six-factor structure and multigroup analyzes supported the strict factor invariance of the Mexican version of URICA-E2 across gender groups. The results showed an acceptable internal consistency and provided evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of the Mexican version of the URICA-E2. The Mexican version of the URICA-E2 is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in future studies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 968-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadeil M Alsufiani ◽  
Fatmah Yamani ◽  
Taha A Kumosani ◽  
Dianne Ford ◽  
John C Mathers

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relative validity and repeatability of a sixty-four-item FFQ for estimating dietary intake of Zn and its absorption modifiers in Saudi adults. In addition, we used the FFQ to investigate the effect of age and gender on these intakes.DesignTo assess validity, all participants completed the FFQ (FFQ1) and a 3 d food record. After 1 month, the FFQ was administered for a second time (FFQ2) to assess repeatability.SettingJeddah, Saudi Arabia.SubjectsOne hundred males and females aged 20–30 years and 60–70 years participated.ResultsMean intakes of Zn and protein from FFQ1 were significantly higher than those from the food record while there were no detectable differences between tools for measurement of phytic acid intake. Estimated intakes of Zn, protein and phytate by both approaches were strongly correlated (P<0·001). Bland–Altman analysis showed for protein that the difference in intake as measured by the two methods was similar across the range of intakes while for Zn and phytic acid, the difference increased with increasing mean intake. Zn and protein intakes from FFQ1 and FFQ2 were highly correlated (r>0·68,P<0·001) but were significantly lower at the second measurement (FFQ2). Older adults consumed less Zn and protein compared with young adults. Intakes of all dietary components were lower in females than in males.ConclusionsThe FFQ developed and tested in the current study demonstrated reasonable relative validity and high repeatability and was capable of detecting differences in intakes between age and gender groups.


2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Guérin ◽  
Herbert W. Marsh ◽  
Jean-Pierre Famose

Two studies tested the generalizability of support for within- and between-construct validity based on responses to a French translation of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) by high school students. The PSDQ is a multidimensional physical self-concept instrument designed to measure 11 components: health, coordination, physical activity, body fat, sports competence, global physical, appearance, strength, flexibility, endurance, and esteem. In the first study (N = 752), preliminary reliability analysis revealed strong internal consistency and overall stability. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for structural equivalence with the original instrument. In the second study (N = 288), PSDQ factors were related to 13 external criteria of physical fitness; each was predicted a priori to be most highly correlated with one of the PSDQ scales. Bivariate correlations and CFA models supported both the convergent and discriminant validity of the PSDQ responses. These overall results demonstrated good support for the generalizability of the PSDQ with French adolescents.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Langner ◽  
Frank Scharnowski ◽  
Silvio Ionta ◽  
Carlos Ernesto Garrido Salmon ◽  
Brian J. Piper ◽  
...  

Different aspects of attention can be assessed through psychological tests, in order to identify stable individual or group differences as well as alterations after interventions. Aiming for a wide applicability of psychological assessments, Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) is an open-source software system for designing and running computerized tasks that tax various attentional functions. Here, we evaluated the reliability and validity of several widely used computerized attention tasks as provided with the PEBL package, namely the Continuous Performance Task (CPT), the Switcher task, the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), the Mental Rotation task, and the Attentional Network Test. For all tasks, we evaluated test–retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), as well as internal consistency through within-test correlations and split-half ICC. Across tasks, response time scores showed adequate reliability, whereas scores of performance accuracy, variability, and deterioration over time did not. Stability across application sites was observed for the CPT and Switcher task, but substantial practice effects (i.e., a lack of temporal stability) was observed for all tasks except the PVT. We substantiate convergent and discriminant validity for several task scores using between-task correlations and provide further evidence for construct validity via associations of task scores with attentional and motivational assessments. The Switcher task did not show sufficient stability and validity for the evaluation of switching costs, therefore we propose that a longer practice period might be necessary for achieving sound psychometric properties for this task. We suggest that researchers interested in individual differences should be particularly cautious when including accuracy or variability scores in their assessment. Taken together, our results provide necessary and valuable information that may help design and interpret studies involving attention assessments in basic and applied research.


Author(s):  
Amira Ali ◽  
Abdulmajeed A. Alkhamees ◽  
Hiroaki Hori ◽  
Yoshiharu Kim ◽  
Hiroshi Kunugi

Despite extensive investigations of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) since its development in 1995, its factor structure and other psychometric properties still need to be firmly established, with several calls for revising its item structure. Employing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study examined the factor structure of the DASS-21 and five shortened versions of the DASS-21 among psychiatric patients (N = 168) and the general public (N = 992) during the COVID-19 confinement period in Saudi Arabia. Multigroup CFA, Mann Whitney W test, Spearman&rsquo;s correlation, and coefficient alpha were used to examine the shortened versions of the DASS-21 (DASS-13, DASS-12, DASS-9 (two versions), and DASS-8) for invariance across age and gender groups, discriminant validity, predictive validity, item coverage, and internal consistency, respectively. Compared with the DASS-21, all three-factor structures of the shortened versions expressed good fit, with the DASS-8 demonstrating the best fit and highest item loadings on the corresponding factors in both samples (&chi;2(16, 15) = 16.5, 67.0; p = 0.420, 0.000; CFI= 1.000, 0.998; TLI = 0.999, 0.997; RMSEA = 0.013, 0.059, SRMR = 0.0186, 0.0203). It expressed configural, metric, and scalar invariance across age and gender groups. Its internal consistency was comparable to other versions (&alpha; = 0.94). Strong positive correlations of the DASS-8 and its subscales with the DASS-21 and its subscales (r = 0.97 to 0.81) suggest adequate item coverage and good predictive validity of this version. The DASS-8 and its subscales distinguished the clinical sample from the general public at the same level of significance expressed by the DASS-21 and other shortened versions, supporting its discriminant validity. Neither the DASS-21 nor the shortened versions distinguished patients diagnosed with depression and anxiety from other conditions. The DASS-8 represents a valid short version of the DASS-21, which may be useful in research and clinical practice for quick identification of individuals with potential psychopathologies. Diagnosing depression/anxiety disorders may be further confirmed in a next step by clinician-facilitated examinations. Brevity of the DASS-21 would save time and effort used for filling the questionnaire and support comprehensive assessments by allowing the inclusion of more measures on test batteries.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Smith ◽  
Gert Roodt

The aim of the study was to investigate which response scale, of the four, five, or six-point response scales would yield the best metric properties on the Culture Assessment Instrument. This was achieved by utilising data sets where the respective scales were used. The subjects included participants of various organisations, ages, educational levels, language and gender groups. No one scale could be identified as having the better metric properties. The lack of conclusive results is attributed to differences in education, aggregation effect, possibility of different units of measurement being measured and the manner in which Cronbach Alpha is calculated OpsommingDie doel van die studie was om vas te stel watter responsskaal, van ‘n vier-, vyf-, of sespuntskaal die beste metriese eienskappe sou oplewer op die Kultuurtakseringinstrument. Dit is bereik, deur gebruik te maak van datastelle waar die skale toegepas is. Deelnemers was afkomstig uit verskeie organsisasies, ouderdomsgroepe, opvoedkundige agtergronde, taalgroepe en geslagte. Geen skaal kon gëidentifiseer word met onderskeidende metriese eienskappe nie. Die gebrek aan beduidende resultate word toegeskryf aan die verskille in die opvoedkundige agtergronde van deelnemers, samevoegingseffek, die moonlikheid van verskillende eenhede van meting en die wyse waarop Cronbach Alpha bereken is.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arantxa Gorostiaga ◽  
Nekane Balluerka ◽  
Itziar Alonso-Arbiol ◽  
Mikel Haranburu

Although personnel selection processes for Basque civil servants often involve the assessment of personality, there are currently no Basque self-report instruments that provide valid and reliable measures of the Big-Five factors of personality. The aim of this study was to validate the Basque version of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992 ), by examining its psychometric properties. We assessed the dimensionality of the instrument, the convergent and discriminant validity, the temporal stability, and the internal consistency of each dimension. Relationships between NEO PI-R domains and other variables (i.e., gender and age) were also examined. The sample was composed of 1,790 participants (1,031 women and 759 men), whose ages ranged between 16 and 65. Results suggest that the Basque version of NEO PI-R allows assessing personality from the Big-Five framework in a valid and accurate way. The age and gender pattern of personality domains are in consonance with previous findings in other cultures, notably with those observed in Spanish samples.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 520-532
Author(s):  
Pedro Alexandre Costa ◽  
Fiona Tasker ◽  
Catarina Ramos ◽  
Isabel Leal

This study examined the psychometric properties of the parent’s versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule–Extended Form (PANAS-X) in a community sample of Portuguese parents. A total of 1100 SDQ and PANAS-X were collected from an online sample of 761 parents, whose ages ranged from 23 to 65 years ( M = 42, SD = 5). Confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence of the internal factor structure of both the SDQ and the PANAS-X and invariance of the factor structure across age and gender groups, with the exception of the SDQ, which failed to provide evidence of invariance between genders. Internal reliability and discriminant validity were confirmed for both measures, although convergent validity was only confirmed for the PANAS-X. Concurrent validity was also confirmed by comparing the results from the SDQ dimensions and the PANAS-X broad dimensions subscales.


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