16PF Analysis – Low and High

Factors A
Reserved, Detached, Critical, Cool,
Impersonal

People who score low (sten of 1 to 3) on
Factor A tend to be stiff, cool, skeptical, and aloof. They like things rather than people, working alone, and avoiding compromises of viewpoints. They are likely to be precise and
"rigid" in their way of doing things and in their personal standards. In many occupations these are desirable traits. They may tend. at times, to be critical, obstructive, or hard. Warmhearted, Outgoing, Participating,
Interested in People, Easy-going

People who score high (sten of 8 to 10) on
Factor A tend to be goodnatured, easygoing, emotionally expressive, ready to cooperate, attentive to people, softhearted, kindly, adaptable. They like occupations dealing with people and socially impressive situations. and they readily form active groups. They are generous in personal relations, less afraid of criticism, better able to remember names of people.

Factor B
Less Intelligent, Concrete-thinking

The person scoring low on Factor B tends to be slow to learn and grasp, dull, given to concrete and literal interpretation. This dullness may be simply a reflection of low intelligence, or it may represent poor functioning due to psychopathology.

More Intelligent, Abstract-thinking, Bright

The person who scores high on Factor B tends to be quick to grasp ideas, a fast learner, intelligent. There is some correlation with level of culture, and some with alertness. High scores contraindicate deterioration of mental functions in pathological conditions. Factor C
Affected by Feelings, Emotionally Less
Stable. Easily Upset. Changeable

The person who scores low on Factor C tends to be low in frustration tolerance for unsatisfactory conditions. changeable and plastic. evading necessary reality demands, neurotically fatigued. fretful, easily annoyed and emotional. active in dissatisfaction, having neurotic symptoms (phobias, sleep disturbances. psychosomatic complaints, etc.). Low Factor C score is common to almost all forms of neurotic and some psychotic disorders.

Emotionally Stable, Mature, Faces Reality,
Calm, Patient

The person who scores high on Factor C tends to be emotionally mature, stable, realistic about life, unruffled, possessing ego strength, better able to maintain solid group morale. This person may be making a resigned adjustment* to unsolved emotional problems. *Shrewd clinical observers have pointed out that a good C level sometimes enables a person to achieve effective adjustment despite an underlying psychotic potential.
Factor E
Humble, Mild, Accommodating,
Easily Led, Conforming

Individuals scoring low on Factor E tend to give way to others, to be docile, and to conform. They are often dependent, confessing. anxious for obsessional correctness.
This passivity is part of many neurotic syndromes.

Assertive, Aggressive, Authoritative,
Competitive, Stubborn

Individuals scoring high on Factor E are assertive, self-assured, and independentminded.
They tend to be austere, a law to themselves, hostile or extrapunitive, authoritarian
(managing others), and disregarding of authority.

Factor F
Sober, Prudent. Serious, Taciturn

Low scorers on Factor F tend to be restrained, reticent, and introspective. They are sometimes dour, pessimistic, unduly deliberate, and considered smug and primly correct by observers. They tend to be sober, dependable people.

Happy-go-lucky, Impulsively Lively,
Enthusiastic, Heedless

High scorers on this trait tend to be cheerful, active, talkative, frank, expressive, effervescent, and carefree. They are frequently chosen as elected leaders. They may be impulsive and mercurial.

Factor G

Expedient, Disregards Rules, Feels
Few Obligations

People who score low on Factor G tend to be unsteady in purpose. They are often casual and lacking in effort for group undertakings and cultural demands. Their freedom from group influence may lead to antisocial acts, but at times makes them more effective, while their refusal to be bound by rules causes them to have less somatic upset from stress.

Conscientious, Persevering, Proper,
Moralistic, Rule-bound

People who score high on Factor G tend to be exacting in character. dominated by sense of duty. persevering. responsible, planful, "fill the unforgiving minute." They are usually conscientious and moralistic, and they prefer hard-working people to witty companions. The inner "categorical imperative" of this essential superego (in the psychoanalytic sense) should be distinguished from the superficially similar
.. social ideal self" of Q3+.

Factor H

Shy, Restrained. Threat-sensitive.
Timid

Individuals who score low on this trait tend to be shy, withdrawing, cautious, retiring
.. ·wallflowers.'· They usually have inferiority feelings and tend to be slow and impeded in speech and in expressing themselves.
They dislike occupations with personal contacts, prefer one or two close friends to large groups, and are not given to keeping in contact with all that is going on around them.

Venturesome, Socially bold, Uninhibited,
Spontaneous

Individuals who score high on Factor H are sociable, bold, ready to try new things. spontaneous. and abundant in emotional response. Their "thick-skinnedness" enables them to face wear and tear in dealing with people and grueling emotional situations, without fatigue. However, they can be careless of detail, ignore danger signals, and consume much time talking. They tend to be "pushy" and actively interested in the opposite sex.

Factor I

Tough-minded, Self-reliant, Realistic,
No-nonsense

People who score low on Factor I tend to be tough, realistic, "down-to-earth," independent, responsible, but skeptical of subjective, cultural elaborations. They are sometimes unmoved, hard, cynical, smug.
They tend to keep a group operating on a practical and realistic "no-nonsense" basis.

Tender-minded, Intuitive, Unrealistic,
Sensitive

People who score high on Factor I tend to be emotionally sensitive, day-dreaming, artistically fastidious, and fanciful. They are sometimes demanding of attention and help, impatient, dependent, temperamental, and not very realistic. They dislike crude people and rough occupations. In a group, they often tend to slow up group performance and to upset group morale by undue fussiness. Factor L

Trusting, Adaptable, Free of Jealousy,
Easy to Get on With

The person who scores low on Factor L tends to be free of jealous tendencies, adaptable, cheerful, uncompetitive, concerned about others, a good team worker.
They are open and tolerant and usually willing to take a chance with people.

Suspicious, Self-opinionated, Hard to Fool,
Skeptical, Questioning

People who score high on Factor L tend to be mistrusting and doubtful. They are often involved in their own egos and are self- . opinionated and interested in internal, mental life. Usually they are deliberate in their actions, unconcerned about other people, and poor team members.
N.S. This factor is not necessarily paranoia. In fact, the data on paranoid schizophrenics are not clear as to typical Factor Lvalue to be expected for them.

Factor M

Practical, Careful, Conventional,
Regulated by External Realities

Low scorers on Factor M tend to be anxious to do the right things, attentive to practical matters, and subject to the dictation of what is obviously possible. They are concerned over detail, able to keep their. heads in emergencies, but are sometimes unimaginative. In short, they are responsive to the outer, rather than the inner, world.

Imaginative, Careless of Practical Matters,
Unconventional, Absent-minded

High scorers on Factor M tend to be unconventional, unconcerned over everyday matters, self-motivated, imaginatively creative, concerned with "essentials," often absorbed in thought, and oblivious of particular
- people and physical realities. Their inner-directed interests sometimes lead to unrealistic situations accompanied by expressive outbursts. Their individuality tends to cause them to be rejected in group activities. Factor N

Forthright, Natural, Genuine,
Unpretentious

Individuals who score low on Factor N have a lot of natural warmth and a genuine liking for people. are uncomplicated and sentimental, and are unvarnished in their approa"ch to people.
Shrewd, Calculating, Socially Alert,
Insightful

Individuals who score high on Factor N tend to be polished, experienced, and shrewd. Their approach to people and problems is usually perceptive, hardheaded, and efficient, an unsentimental approach to situations, an approach akin to cY!licism.

Factor O

Unperturbed, Self-assured, Confident,
Secure, Self-satisfied

Persons with low scores on Factor 0 tend to be unruffled, with unshakable nerve.
They have a mature, un anxious confidence in themselves and their capacity to deal with things. They are resilient and secure, but to the point of being insensitive of when a group is not going along with them, so that they may evoke antipathies and distrust.

Apprehensive, Self-reproaching, Worrying,
Troubled

Persons with high scores on Factor 0 have a strong sense of obligation and high expectations of themselves. They tend to worry and feel anxious and guilt -stricken over difficulties. Often they do not feel accepted in groups or free to participate.
High Factor 0 score is very common in clinical groups of all types

FACTOR Q1

Conservative, Respecting Established
Ideas, Tolerant of Traditional Difficulties
(Conservatism)

Low scorers on Factor Ql are confident in what they have been taught to believe, and accept the "tried and true," despite inconsistencies, when something else might be better. They are cautious and compromising in regard to new ideas. Thus, they tend to oppose and postpone change, are inclined to go along with tradition, are more conservative in religion and politics, and tend not to be interested in analytical "intellectual" thought. Experimenting, Liberal, Analytical,
Likes Innovation
(Radicalism)
High scorers on Factor Ql tend to be interested in intellectual matters and to have doubts on fundamental issues. They are skeptical and inquiring regarding ideas, either old or new. Usually they are more well informed, less inclined to moralize, more inclined to experiment in life generally, and more tolerant of inconvenience and change.

FACTOR Q2

Group Oriented, A "Joiner" and
Sound Follower
(Group adherence)

Individuals who score low on Factor Q2 prefer to work and make decisions with other people and like and depend on social approval and admiration. They tend to go along with the group and may be lacking in individual resolution. They are not necessarily gregarious by choice; rather they might need group support.

Self-sufficient, Prefers Own Decisions,
Resourceful
(Self-sufficiency)

Individuals who score high on Factor Q2 are temperamentally independent, accustomed to going their own way, making decisions and taking action on their own. They discount public opinion, but are not necessarily dominant in their relations with others
(see Factor E); in fact, they could be hesitant to ask others for help. They do not dislike people, but simply do not need their agreement or support.

FACTOR Q3

Undisciplined Self-conflict, Careless of
Protocol, Follows Own Urges
(Low integration)

People who score low on Factor Q3 will not be bothered with will control and have little regard for social demands. They are impetuous and not overly considerate, careful, or painstaking. They may feel maladjusted, and many maladjustments (especially the affective, but not the paranoid) show Q3-.

Controlled, Socially Precise, Following
Self-image, Compulsive
(High self-concept control)
People who score high on Factor Q3 tend to have strong control of their emotions and general behavior, are inclined to be socially aware and careful, and evidence what is commonly termed "self-respect" and high regard for social reputation. They sometimes tend, however, to be perfectionistic and obstinate. Effective leaders, and some paranoids, are high on Q3.

FACTOR Q4

Relaxed, Tranquil, Torpid,
Unfrustrated
(Low ergic tension)

Individuals who score low on Factor Q4 tend to be sedate, relaxed, composed, and satisfied (not frustrated). In some situations, their oversatisfaction can lead to laziness and low performance, in the sense that low motivation produces little trial and error.
Conversely, high tension level may disrupt school and work performance.

Tense, Frustrated, Driven, Restless,
Overwrought
(High ergic tension)

Individuals who score high on Factor Q4 tend to be tense, restless, fretful, impatient, and hard driving. They are often fatigued, but unable to remain inactive. In groups they take a poor view of the degree of unity, orderliness, and leadership. Their frustration represents an excess of stimulated, but undischarged, drive.