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Personality Consistencies in Judgment: Dimensions of Role Constructs USPHS MDS

Author(s):
Kogan, Nathan; Messick, Samuel J.
Publication Year:
1965
Report Number:
RM-65-02
Source:
ETS Research Memorandum
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
19
Subject/Key Words:
National Institute of Mental Health, United States Public Health Service (USPHS), Interpersonal Relationships, Multidimensional scaling (MDS), Personality Traits, Sex Differences, Social Cognition

Abstract

Multidimensional scaling techniques were used to determine the number and nature of the dimensions underlying judgments of similarity among role figures in a measure of personal constructs, or cognitive complexity. In addition, the number and correlates of consistent individual viewpoints about role similarity were determined, and the utility was explored of using the numbers, relative size, and other structural properties of the stimulus dimensions reflected in each viewpoint as indicators of cognitive complexity. Subjects, 164 male and female undergraduate students, were asked to name a person from the subject's life experience who fit a description, using the Person Specification Form. A total of 105 stimulus pairs was available for comparison from a list of fifteen role descriptions. A large battery of cognitive and personality tests was also administered. Tucker and Messick's analytical procedures for the individual difference model of multidimensional scaling were applied separately to data obtained from males and females. Results indicated four dimensions of perceived stimulus for females, and three dimensions for males. Correlations with various personality and cognitive characteristics were briefly noted.

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