Folk concepts, natural language, and psychological constructs: The California Psychological Inventory and the five-factor model

McCrae RR, Costa PT, Jr., Piedmont RL. Folk concepts, natural language, and psychological constructs: The California Psychological Inventory and the five-factor model. J. Pers. 1993;61(1):1-26.

Two studies conceptually analyzed the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) scales in terms of H. G. Gough's (1987) 5-factor model of personality. In Study 1, 4 judges rated the item content of CPI scales in terms of the 5 factors: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. In Study 2, CPI scales were correlated with the factors as measured by the NEO Personality Inventory in 348 Ss (aged 19-92 yrs). Both studies show meaningful links between CPI scales and 4 of the factors; agreeableness appeared to be underrepresented in CPI scales. The utility of systematic rational item analysis in terms of the 5 factors and the evolving relation of folk concepts to psychological constructs are discussed.