Replicable types and subtypes of personality: Spanish NEO‐PI samples

Abstract

Three major personality prototypes were derived on the basis of a Big Five instrument (NEO‐PI) by means of replicated cluster analysis in two Spanish samples (a sample from the general population and a student sample). The replicability of the three prototypes within and their consistency between the two samples were evaluated. In addition, subtypes were analysed in a similar way. Finally, the relation between prototype assignment and level of education was examined in the sample from the general population. Within‐study replicability was satisfactory only for the student sample. Comparison with the results for a similar instrument (NEO‐PI‐R) applied to a German sample showed satisfactory consistency only for the student sample. Discussion centres on the strong sample dependency of the results. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.