Brief versions of the NEO-PI-3

Self-report (Form S) and observer rating (Form R) versions of two short forms of the NEO Personality Inventory-3 (NEO-PI-3) were evaluated. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 is a 60-item instrument that assesses the five factors. The NEO-PI-3 First Half consists of the first 120 items of the NEO-PI-3, selected to optimally assess its 30 facet scales. Internal consistencies were systematically lower for the brief scales than for the parent scales, but both brief instruments replicated the factor structure and showed cross-observer validity. They appeared to work well in both adolescent and adult samples, and adequately in a middle school-age sample. Norms for the NEO-FFI-3 are provided and it was shown that NEO-PI-3 norms can be used for NEO-PI-3 First Half scores if they are simply doubled. Uses of the NEO-PI-3 First Half are discussed.