How many factors are there on the PICTS?
BACKGROUND
Several different factor models have been proposed for the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), an 80-item self-report measure designed to assess thinking styles believed to maintain a criminal lifestyle.


OBJECTIVE
To perform further tests on the factor structure with two new samples, and exploit their divergent characteristics to test for generalizability of the result.


METHODS
A series of factor analyses were performed on the PICTS, completed by two groups of offenders: 519 male prisoners and 227 female prisoners, to determine whether a one-factor, two-factor, four-factor or eight-factor model best fitted the data.


RESULTS
The two-factor model was superior to the one-factor model, and the four- factor model was superior to both. An eight-factor model, the factors being identical to the original eight PICTS thinking style scales (Mollification, Cutoff, Entitlement, Power Orientation, Sentimentality, Superoptimism, Cognitive Indolence, Discontinuity), achieved a significantly better fit than any of the other models in the male sample; the four and eight factor models were not significantly different among the women.


CONCLUSIONS
Modest to moderate fit was attained with the two-, four- and eight-factor models when the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was utilized but not when the goodness-of-fit index (GFI) was applied. It is concluded that the factor structure of the PICTS consists of two primary or major factors (problem avoidance, self-assertion/deception) and two secondary or minor factors (interpersonal hostility, denial of harm). The four-factor model seems likely to be generalizable across divergent offender samples.
Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, PA, USA. gwalters@bop.gov
Glenn D
GD
Walters
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results