The Personality Research Form in a Canadian context: Does language make a difference?

Evaluated Form E of the Personality Research Form (PRF-E), using 2,141 male English-speaking and 1,040 male French-speaking Ss (aged 17-24 yrs) in a personnel selection context, quite different from the original PRF college samples. Using several item analysis criteria, 97% of the English PRF-E items and 95% of the French items replicated their effectiveness in this noncollege population. Scale reliabilities for both language groups were within a similar range. A set of 7 linear combinations of PRF-E scales reflecting personality dimensions related to vocational interests yielded reliabilities ranging from .68 to .86. Factor analytic solutions from both language versions showed marked correspondence. Five interpreted factors include: (a) Orientation Toward Work vs Play; (b) Outgoing, Social Leadership; (c) Dependence vs Autonomy; (e) Self-Protective vs Submissive Orientation; and (f) Esthetic-Intellectual. Results support the comparability of the English and French PRF-E versions and their applicability to applied research problems in Canada. (18 ref)