Factor structure of psychobiological seven-factor model of personality: a model-revision

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure in the Temperament and Character Inventory [TCI; Cloninger, C. R., Svrakic, D. M., & Przybeck, T. R. (1993). A psychobiological model of temperament and character. Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 975–990.] and to determine appropriate subscales and items to assess the psychobiological seven-factor model with a nonclinical Japanese sample by the use of the TCI short version. Among 383 ex-members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, confirmatory factor analysis of the TCI showed that temperament consisted of four factors and character of three, as the original model suggested. Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence, Self Transcendence and Cooperativeness may be interpreted as a constellation of interrelated but possibly discrete dimensions. Most of the items were loaded into each corresponding subscale, although a few of the items were not confirmed as appropriate. Implications and the future direction of personality research are discussed.