Interpersonal Theory: Criticism, Modification, and Elaboration

Abstract

Interpersonal theory, as formulated by Freedman and developed by Leary, was constructed around the two dimensions of love vs. hate and dominate vs. submit. The two alternative dimensions of close vs. distant and upper vs. lower are introduced because they are generic and value free. To resolve confusion concerning what the theory is about, it is proposed that it be concerned with inborn dispositions which have their origins in interactions which occur between all animalforms. In humans, such dispositions are elaborated into competencies. Rather than considering negative forms of relating as the extreme of normalforms, it is suggested that they result from the imperfect acquisition of competencies. Interpersonal systems have been distorted by successive attempts to fit them into a circular ordering of bipolar opposites. This calls into question the appropriateness of the circumplex analysis as a means of confirming interpersonal theory.