Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors
British-American psychologist Raymond Cattell (1905 to 1998) set out to map personality scientifically. Using factor analysis, a statistical method for finding patterns in data, he reduced thousands of descriptive words to 16 primary factors. He published the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) in 1949.
| Factor | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|
| Warmth | Reserved | Warm |
| Reasoning | Concrete | Abstract |
| Emotional Stability | Reactive | Calm |
| Dominance | Cooperative | Assertive |
| Liveliness | Serious | Lively |
| Rule-Consciousness | Nonconforming | Dutiful |
| Social Boldness | Shy | Bold |
| Sensitivity | Practical | Sensitive |
| Vigilance | Trusting | Sceptical |
| Abstractedness | Grounded | Imaginative |
| Privateness | Open | Private |
| Apprehension | Self-assured | Worried |
| Openness to Change | Traditional | Experimenting |
| Self-Reliance | Group-oriented | Self-reliant |
| Perfectionism | Flexible | Organised |
| Tension | Relaxed | Driven |
How This Test Works
You rate 48 statements, three per factor, with one reversed in each. Every factor gets a score and a high, average or low reading.
Important: this is not the official 16PF Questionnaire, which is a copyrighted, professionally normed instrument. Our statements are original and short, three per factor, so results are a rough sketch. The official test also measures Reasoning with ability questions; ours uses self-ratings.
From 16 Factors To The Big Five
Cattell also found that his 16 factors cluster into five broader “global factors”: extraversion, anxiety, tough-mindedness, independence and self-control. These closely resemble the Big Five traits that dominate modern research. In that sense, Cattell’s work helped lay the foundation for today’s leading model.
| Cattell global factor | Related primary factors | Big Five link |
|---|---|---|
| Extraversion | Warmth, Liveliness, Social Boldness, Privateness (low), Self-Reliance (low) | Extraversion |
| Anxiety | Emotional Stability (low), Vigilance, Apprehension, Tension | Neuroticism |
| Tough-mindedness | Warmth (low), Sensitivity (low), Abstractedness (low), Openness to Change (low) | Low openness |
| Independence | Dominance, Vigilance, Social Boldness, Openness to Change | Low agreeableness |
| Self-control | Rule-Consciousness, Perfectionism, Liveliness (low), Abstractedness (low) | Conscientiousness |
Reading Your Profile
Look for extreme scores, high or low, as they describe you most distinctively. Average scores are normal and simply mean you adapt to situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the real 16PF?
No. It is an original, short test inspired by Cattell’s model. The official 16PF is available through licensed professionals.
Why 16 factors instead of five?
Cattell preferred more detailed, narrower traits. Many researchers find five broad traits easier to work with, but the 16 factors offer finer detail.
How accurate is a short test?
Three items per factor give a rough sketch. For a well-validated broad profile, take our Big Five personality test, which uses public-domain IPIP items.
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For self-reflection. Not the official 16PF. See how we build our tests.