... Nomothetic tests, which aim to scientifically identify, compare, predict and measure personality, use self-report personality inventories. This type of test is used to handle large groups and would therefore be suitable to organisations during the first steps of selection. The concept behind these tests states that environmental and social factors are seen as being negligible; instead a person's personality is viewed as being genetically based which would render it less susceptible to change. Various psychologists have proposed a number of different models to gauge a person's personality. These vary primarily in the number of factors that are taken into account. Popular among tests that are designed along the nomothetic approach are Cattel's sixteen personality factor (16 PF) test, Eycenck's personality inventory (EPI), Goldberg's five factor model and the Myers-Briggs Type indicator (MBTI). Catell (1965) set out sixteen factors that should be used when analysing personality. He decided on these factors, which are ...

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