The empirical criterion keying method for constructing a personality inventory is based on what criterion?

The empirical criterion keying method is primarily based on the relationship of items to some external criterion. This approach involves selecting items for a personality inventory based on how well they differentiate between groups with known characteristics or behaviors, rather than relying solely on theoretical assumptions or expert opinions about what makes a good item.

In this method, a researcher would usually collect a large pool of items and administer them to different groups. By analyzing the responses, items that show significant correlations with an external criterion—such as behaviors, life outcomes, or other measurable attributes—are retained. This indicates that the items are effective in predicting or differentiating between different personality traits or constructs in real-world contexts.

The focus on empirical data rather than theoretical constructs or subjective judgment is what distinguishes this method from others. Items are not selected randomly or based strictly on expert opinions; instead, they are chosen for their proven effectiveness in identifying or differentiating among specific personality traits according to real-world criteria.