Comparison of Edwards Personal Preference Schedule Norms with Recent College Samples.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Personality Assessment

Background:

• The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) assesses 15 major human needs.
• Previous research established baseline norms for college students in 1959.
• Understanding evolving personality needs is crucial in dynamic societal contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare EPPS needs between historical and contemporary college populations.
• To examine gender differences in expressed needs across different time periods.
• To investigate potential societal influences on personality need patterns.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of EPPS data from 1959, 1969, and 1973.
• Inclusion of data from urban college men and women, and Roman Catholic sisters.
• Statistical comparison of mean scores across different demographic groups and years.

Main Results:

• A significant trend towards convergence in expressed needs between sexes was observed.
• Patterns of need changes were notably similar for both male and female students.
• Contemporary students (1973) exhibited more aligned need profiles compared to 1959 norms.

Conclusions:

• Shifting societal norms and values likely contributed to the observed convergence of needs.
• The findings suggest a greater similarity in psychological needs between genders.
• This study highlights the impact of social change on individual personality expression.