Personality characteristics of South African navy divers

The first study aimed to determine the extent to which the 16 Personality F actor Questionnaire (16PF) can be used to describe successful divers in the South African Navy. The 16PF profiles of 100 divers were analyzed to descr ibe the personality characteristics of naval divers. Results indicate that four personality factors were most descriptive of the sample. They were Gro up-orientation, Enthusiasm, Adventurousness, and Confidence. These factors seemed appropriate when discussed from an environmental demand perspective. The second study aimed to determine the extent to which the 16 PF can be u sed to differentiate between divers and submariners in the South African Na vy. The two groups differed significantly on two factors-divers scored high er on Enthusiasm and submariners scored higher on Conservatism.