Abstract

The relationship between personality, world view, and theoretical orientation of applied psychologists was investigated using a survey consisting of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory , the 32 item Theoretical Orientation Survey , and the Organicism-Mechanism Paradigm Inventory , as well as questions regarding eclectic and epistemological beliefs. A random sample of 250 members of the National Association of School Psychologists and 250 clinical members of APA were mailed survey materials. Hierarchical classification analysis of the data from 221 returned surveys revealed three significant and interrelated predictors of theoretical orientation: the NEO-FFI openness to experience factor, the TOS objectivism factor, and the OMPI organicism factor. Lower openness and organicism as well as higher objectivism scores were associated with a cognitive/behavioral orientation. The orientation of the graduate program attended was also a very strong predictor of personal theoretical orientation. Eclectic beliefs were very common even among most of those who did not identify themselves specifically as eclectic. Significant differences between school and clinical groups on the NEO-FFI agreeableness factor and the TOS behavioral content emphasis factor were found which could not be explained by theoretical orientation group membership. Significant theoretical orientation group differences in epistemic beliefs were suggested by the finding that 44% of the dynamic/analytic group endorsed that psychology should be a science rather than an art, in contrast to 84% of the cognitive/behaviorists that endorsed only science. A need for consensus on epistemology was discussed in light of these findings