Hysterical personality: an appraisal in light of empirical research.

An overview of the term hysterical personality is presented and existing measures of this construct are described. Statistical studies of hysterical personality are then reviewed, emphasizing the extent to which they support theory, clinical observation, description, and prediction. Evidence is still needed to bolster claims of empirical validity and it remains an open question whether hysterical personality should be viewed as a legitimate concept in its own right or as a form of extraversion. Empirical data are also needed on etiological determinants, psychological correlates, and response to experimental manipulations. However, empirically based findings to date indicate that a premorbid hysterical personality is not a necessary or sufficient factor in the development of conversion reactions. It is concluded that relative to other well known personality types there has been only a modest amount of empirical research on hysterical personality. Suggestions for future research directions are made.