Group Differences
Age
Differences in age group for dimension combined scores are only slight. The largest differences are on the Learning Oriented and Engaging dimensions (0.36 SD difference), where the 'Young' age group, on average, report higher combined scores. The 'Young' age group also on average report combined scores 0.32 higher than the 'Old' age group on the dimension Receptive. The 'Old' age group on average report higher combined scores on the Composed (0.31 SD difference) and Purposeful (0.31 SD difference) dimensions. All other age group differences by dimension are well below 0.33 of an SD. (N=1153, older N=555, younger N=525, not classified N= 73). Respondents 35 and over are in the 'Old' category. These differences tend to be very small when profiled (typically fractions of a sten).
Gender
The most notable difference when combined scores are split by gender is on the Enterprising dimension, where males give, on average, a combined mean score 0.7 of an SD higher than females. Males also on average report higher combined scores on Rational (0.5 SD difference), Purposeful (0.47 SD difference), Convincing (0.39 SD difference), Striving (0.39 SD difference) and Composed (0.34 SD difference). Females report notably higher combined scores than males on Activity Oriented (0.51 SD difference), Attentive (0.45 SD difference) and Compliant (0.40 SD difference). All other gender differences by dimension are below 0.33 SD difference. (N=1153, Male N=512, Female N=569, not classified N= 72).
Ethnicity
Our research to date has indicated that there are no appreciable differences in scores for different ethnic groups. Large samples of data are currently being collected as part of our ongoing extensive international research.
Technical Information:
The Development of the Professional Styles Questionnaires