"Big Five" Personality Factors Research Using Christal's Self Description Inventory

This paper recounts the latest efforts to evaluate the properties of the Air Force Self Description Inventory (AFSDI) when it is administered, using both computer assisted and paper and pencil formats, to a variety of subject samples in the United States and the United Kingdom. In all cases the resultant factor structures and distributions of scores were consistent and indicate that the AFSDI is capable of measuring the five personality factors across a variety of subject cultures and administrative methods. In addition, some initial comparisons of subgroup composite scores based on gender differences and among officer and officer trainee groups have been made. Some significant effects have been found across the different subject types. Tests of the instrument's stability have been carried out using both short (one day) and long term (13-26 months) intervals. Test retest correlations after a one day interval showed a high degree of response consistency. A larger study of longer term stability, with intervals ranging between 13 to 26 months, also showed moderately high correlations. Finally, additional steps in this research line will be discussed. These initiatives include determining the relationships between personality scores and both withdrawal from officer training programs and job performance ratings.