Construct validity of multidimensional personality questionnaire (MPQ)

Abstract

The paper presents two studies aimed at the examination of the factor structure of The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and joint factor structure of the scales of MPQ and SPSRQ (The Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire). In the first research conducted on the sample of 1127 participants of both sexes, age 18 to 67, the results of the principal component analysis of the MPQ scales point to the existence of three higher-order dimensions, named General Adaptedness, Psychopathic Tendencies and Negative Emotionality. These dimensions correspond to the dimensions of the Eysenck’s PEN model to the greater extent than they achieve the assumed similarity with the dimensions of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory. In the second study conducted on the sample of 199 respondents of both sexes, age 18 to 59, the results of the joint principal component analysis of the MPQ and SPSRQ scales point to the existence of three higher order dimensions, which correspond to the Tellegen’s Positive Emotionality, Negative Emotionality, and Constraint.