Circumplex Structure Research Articles

A Comparison of Two Measures of Communication and the Communication Style of University Students

In the current study the structure of two models of communication questionnaires, the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory (ROCI-II) and the Focus of Communication Questionnaire (FOCQ) were compared. Secondly, the scales of the two questionnaires were analysed using gender and cultural differences as the independent variables using responses from 187 tertiary students. Analyses showed that the ROCI-II and the FOCQ had satisfactory structure as defined by confirmatory factor analysis. Further analysis showed that the circularity of the factors of the ROCI-II was very poor and did not reflect the order expected from the theoretical explanation of the relationship of the factors. By contrast, the FOCQ did form a circumplex structure which reflected the previously reported relationship of factors. Analysis of the differences between Australian and Asian students’ communication styles showed that the FOCQ was the more discriminating of the two measures with male students in comparison to female students indicating they were more confusion, task, and success focused. Australian students were less confusion and more success focused compared to Asian students. Keyword s: Communication Factors; Conflict in Communication; FOCQ; ROCI-II; Culture and communication

Circumplex Structure of the Impact Message Inventory (IMI–C): An Empirical Test With the Dutch Version

The Impact Message Inventory–Circumplex (IMI–C; Kiesler & Schmidt, 2006) is an interpersonal personality measure purporting to capture the command and relationship messages experienced by the IMI–C respondent in her or his interactions with a target person. Mixed support for the circumplex structure of the American IMI–C was found by Schmidt, Wagner, and Kiesler (1999). In this study, we sought to establish the circumplex structure of the Dutch IMI–C adaptation (Hafkenscheid, 2003) in a group of clinician raters assessing a total of 350 psychiatric patient targets. The Dutch IMI–C exhibited closer fit to circumplex models in this study than in the Schmidt et al. (1999) study of the English language IMI–C. However, using the most stringent and conservative circumplex criteria, the circumplex structure of the Dutch IMI–C could not unequivocally be confirmed. Our findings do not justify the generation of 8 separate octant scores when the IMI–C is used as an interpersonal measurement tool. Clinical use of the IMI–C for interpersonal assessment and diagnosis should probably be limited to the location of patient targets on the 2 main dimensions of Control and Affiliation, sacrificing the specificity of octant level interpersonal assessment.

Assessing the Circular Structure of the Portrait Values Questionnaire

The current research is an assessment of both the psychometric properties and circumplex structure of the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ; Schwartz, Melech, Lehmann, Burgess, & Harris, 2001 ). First, the hypothesized 10-factor structure was examined within the framework of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Next, we assessed the circular structure postulated by the human values theory through constrained CFA. Data were obtained from 9,847 participants. Findings corroborated the distinctiveness of the 10 basic value types and their quasicircular arrangement: Factors derived from the PVQ scale were arranged in a circle similar to the theorized structure of values, although some differences emerged between empirical and theoretical models.

Structural examination of RIASEC scales in high school students: Variation across ethnicity and method

The structural validity of Holland’s model of vocational interests across racial/ethnic groups was examined in the population of high school juniors in two states. The fit of the circumplex model to Holland’s RIASEC types as assessed by the UNIACT-R was evaluated for the general sample and five subgroups: Caucasian/Euro-Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. Four different methods were used to test the proposed circumplex structure, each with various circumplex definitions. Results indicate that nonparametric methods generally showed good model-data fit, whereas SEM-based results indicated less support. No differences in fit were found across ethnicity supporting the usage with U.S. ethnic groups.

A Circumplex Model of Interpersonal Attributes in Middle Childhood

This article presents evidence for the validity of the circumplex model to represent how parents and teachers organize interpersonal attributes in children. Study 1 showed that the ratings of adults using interpersonal adjectives to describe 4- to 10-year-old children conformed to a circumplex structure. Eight scales-labeled Interpersonal Adjective Scales for Children (IAS-C)-were developed to represent the circular sequence of children's interpersonal attributes, as ordered around the reference axes of Extraversion and Social Appropriateness. The continuum of interpersonal variables substantially corresponded to Schaefer's model for social and emotional behavior, as follows: Warm-Agreeable, Sociable-Cheerful, Exuberant-Dominant, Impulsive-Aggressive, Egocentric-Irritable, Fearful-Insecure, Shy-Silent, and Mild-Placid. Study 2 demonstrated cross-validity for the IAS-C and how they are related to Big Five measures. Study 3 used data from Studies 1 and 2 in a confirmatory approach to test the circumplex IAS-C structure. Findings are discussed in relation to the adult circumplex model and suggest that the child circumplex has distinctive features that must be kept in due consideration when attempting to assess interpersonal qualities in children validly.

Assessing vocational interests in the Basque Country using paired comparison design

This article proposes the Thurstonian paired comparison model to assess vocational preferences and uses this approach to evaluate the Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprise, and Conventional (RIASEC) model in the Basque Country (Spain). First, one unrestricted model is estimated in the Structural Equation Modelling framework using one paired comparison design. Secondly, the RIASEC circumplex structure is evaluated upon the estimated latent preferences correlation matrix. The results show good fit between the Thurstonian model and the data, but do not confirm the RIASEC structure in the Basque population.

Introduction of the tetra-circumplex criterion for comparison of the actual and theoretical structures of the sleep – wake adaptability

In a search for the natural structure of the sleep – wake adaptability, the questionnaire data (total n = 680) were analysed to examine whether the structure of the 72-item Sleep Wake Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SWPAQ) fits to a theorized circular model. The tetra-circumplex criterion was introduced to measure the extent of deviation of the SWPAQ structure from the structure of the sleep – wake adaptability predicted by the three-dimensional (cube-in-globe) model (Putilov & Putilov 2005). The results of the analysis of correlations among the subdimensions of the SWPAQ indicate that these subdimensions might be configured into four two-dimensional circumplex-like shapes. This means that, at least in general, the questionnaire exhibits a clear three-dimensional circumplex structure in accord with the theoretical expectations, and that the deviations from this structure appear to be random. It was concluded that this finding provides empirical evidence of similarity between the actual and theorised structures of the sleep – wake adaptability. Moreover, this finding supports the claim of applicability of the tetra-circumplex criterion for a theoretically based evaluation of structures of chronotypological questionnaires.

Circumplex structure of Holland's RIASEC Interests across gender and time.

The authors examined circumplex models of interest structure across time (Grades 8, 10, and 12), gender, and analytic method in a secondary analysis of vocational interest type (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) data generated from the American College Testing database (national sample of 69,987 students). Random samples of 1,000 participants were drawn representing males and females over the 3 time periods. The authors used structural equation modeling (SEM), the randomization test of hypothesized order relations, constrained multidimensional scaling, and circular unidimensional scaling. Results indicated differences in conclusions according to the method used. SEM analyses were not supportive of the circumplex structure, whereas the other methods were. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Circumplex structure and personality disorder correlates of the Interpersonal Problems Model (IIP-C): Construct validity and clinical implications.

This study assessed the construct validity of the circumplex model of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C) in Norwegian clinical and nonclinical samples. Structure was examined by evaluating the fit of the circumplex model to data obtained by the IIP-C. Observer-rated personality disorder criteria (DSM-IV, Axis II) were used as external correlates. The reliability of the IIP-C scales was acceptable and in the same range as in the original version. A multisample analysis strategy did not support an invariant circumplex model across the 2 groups. However, the estimated structures reflected mostly the same circular pattern of a quasi-circumplex model in the 2 groups. Departures from the ideal model were of negligible practical significance. The validity results examining personality disorder correlates of the IIP-C generally conformed to predictions, providing direct evidence for agreement between self-report and expert judgments of interpersonal problems.

Adherence to RIASEC structure in relation to career exploration and parenting style: Longitudinal and idiothetic considerations

We explored the “idiothetic” cognitive structure of RIASEC occupational percepts in a sample of Italian middle and high school students over a one year period, examining the possible bidirectional linkages between cognitive–vocational structure, involvement in career exploration activities, and exposure to authoritative parenting style. The focus was on the extent to which individuals’ thinking deviates from the normative RIASEC circumplex structure. Results indicated that there was less stability in the occupational percepts of middle school students over time, but both student groups showed change in the direction of greater adherence to circular structure. In addition, deviation from the circular model was related to subsequent career exploration, and initial levels of career exploration and parental authoritativeness were predictive of later circular structure, especially in middle school students. The results support the importance of examining individual variation in cognitive–vocational structure in relation to career development models and interventions.

Development of interests and competency beliefs in Italian adolescents: An exploration of circumplex structure and bidirectional relationships.

In a cross-national replication and extension of prior research with American students, Italian middle and high school students completed measures of interests and competency beliefs relative to a variety of school- and nonschool-related activities. Both interests and competency beliefs tended to show greater adherence to circumplex Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (known as RIASEC) structure with increasing age, but this tendency was more pronounced in female than in male students. Interests and competency beliefs were moderately stable over a 1-year interval, with relatively small percentages of participants exhibiting clinically large changes on either variable. Good support was found for a bidirectional model of interest-competency belief relationships in both male and female students. Implications for further efforts to understand how interests and competency beliefs develop over time and across cultures are considered.

Investigating the Circumplex Structure of the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ)

Abstract. The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) comprises 10 basic values that guide behavior. The Schwartz model postulates that these 10 values build a circumplex structure. We examined the PVQ with respect to its dimensional structure using a representative sample (N = 1896) of the German population. The results of three widely used analyses were compared: multidimensional scaling, factorial analysis (with varimax rotation) of raw scores, and factorial analysis with ipsative values. Furthermore, rank correlations between the theoretically assumed circular distances and the empirical data were calculated. The analyses confirmed that the 10 dimensions of the PVQ can be depicted in a two-dimensional plane. However, the statistical techniques chosen yielded different arrangements of the 10 values in the plane. All statistical methods failed to confirm the circumplex structure postulated by Schwartz. Nevertheless, dimensions of higher order that condense the 10 dimensions can be derived for applications of the PVQ.

Der Beziehungs-Muster-Fragebogen (BeMus): Validierung anhand einer klinischen Stichprobe

The Relationship Patterns Questionnaire RPQ was designed to assess the relationship patterns concerning the individual's own behavior as well as the anticipated behavior of an important reference person. In this study, the questionnaire is examined psychometrically by using a sample of psychosomatic inpatients (N = 160). The underlying circumplex structure could be confirmed by means of factorial analyses as well as by the correlations between IIP and RPQ. There were no significant correlations between physical complaints (GBB) and relationship patterns; however, a less affectionate relation was associated with greater psychosocial strains (SCL-90-R) both on the self and on the object level. The pre-post analysis revealed a tendency to a greater ability to assert oneself as well as to be open opposite the reference person, but the effect size was small. Possibilities and limits of the present RPQ version are discussed and conclusions are drawn concerning the further development.

Typological approach to the dimensions of evaluating others

This study examined the latent structure of interpersonal evaluation space from both dimensional and typological points of view, considering typological approach to be a complement of the dimensional. The Interpersonal Evaluation Questionnaire (containing 72 items, with 5-degree Likert scales, measuring the desirability of behaviour and personal characteristics of other people) was administered to the sample of 398 respondents of both sexes, aged 15 - 61. According to the Scree criterion, 8 principal components were extracted, which were interpreted as communicativeness, good manners, aggressiveness, self - love, leadership, kindness, reserve and intrusiveness. Second-order analysis singled out two factors, the first one representing the evaluation of the characteristics usually perceived as positive in social interaction, and the second one representing the evaluation of characteristics which make communication between equals difficult. Although the dimensions of interpersonal evaluation do not fit the circumplex structure, their content is similar to the content of Wiggins' dimensions. Using Ward's method of hierarchical cluster analysis, assuming that the evaluation of others reflects both basic personality structure and the characteristic pattern of personality processes, three prototypical personality organizations were identified: the group oriented towards power, the group oriented towards affiliation and the hostile group. The differences between the results of this study and the results obtained by self - estimation were determined by the evaluative nature of the process of estimating others.

Testing relationships between values and food-related lifestyle: results from two European countries

The value survey developed by Shalom Schwartz (1992) has been applied in many countries with different purposes. In this study we present a new way of analysing the theoretically assumed circumplex structure of Schwartz value survey and its relationships to other constructs, here the instrument food-related lifestyle. In two countries; Germany and Spain, data were collected. In each country 1000 interviews were carried out where consumers were asked about their value priorities and about their food-related lifestyle. The study provides new insights into the way values influence peoples' food-related lifestyle in Germany and Spain, and the results validate both the Schwartz value survey and the food-related lifestyle instrument in a nomological sense, since significant and meaningful relationships were found between the two constructs.

THE REPRESENTATION OF AFFECT REVEALED BY BUTOH DANCE

This study looks at the Japanese dance form, Butoh, and examines subjects’ similarity ratings of ten affects to see whether they form a circumplex structure. Naive western viewers observed pairwise presentation of 15 second movie clips of dance segments devised to convey different affects. For each possible pairing of the ten affects observers provided a rating of dissimilarity of the dance movements. These dissimilarity ratings were analyzed using the Proxscal algorithm for multidimensional scaling. The results suggest a circumplex structure, with two dimensions that correspond to activation and valence. The cues which may aid recovery of activation and valence from movement are discussed.

Evaluation of the circumplex structure of the Activation Deactivation Adjective Check List before and after a short walk

Background and purpose: The Activation Deactivation Adjective Check List (AD ACL; Thayer, 1989, The biopsychology of mood and arousal. New York: Oxford University Press) has been used in several studies to assess affective responses to bouts of physical activity. In recent years, researchers have suggested that the structure of this multidimensional measure should approximate a circumplex. This hypothesis was examined using a circumplex-specific confirmatory method. Methods: Volunteers ðn ¼ 165Þ completed the AD ACL before and after a short walk. The data were analyzed using Browne’s Circumplex models for correlation matrices. (Psychometrika, 57, 469–497) circular stochastic process model and CIRCUM software and the analyses were performed at the item level. Results and conclusions: Before the walk, the circumplex provided a close fit to the data, whereas, after the walk, the fit was lower, but still reasonable. At neither time did items theorized to belong to one subscale become interspersed with items theorized to belong to an adjacent subscale. The AD ACL represents a satisfactory, albeit imperfect, option for the assessment of affective responses to physical activity from a circumplex perspective. In the future, closer fit to circumplex structure should be achieved by taking the specific structural postulates of the circumplex model into account from the beginning of the scale development process. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluating the structure of human values with confirmatory factor analysis

This is the first statistical test of a theory of the structure of human values ( Schwartz, 1992). The theory postulates that 10 basic values are discriminated in all societies and that these values form a quasi-circumplex structure based on the inherent conflict or compatibility between their motivational goals. Past support for the theory came from subjective judgments of visual plots of the relations among value items in samples from over 60 countries. We formally test the postulated structure and several potential refinements. We employ a specially designed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach with new data from two sets of 23 samples from 27 countries ( N=10,857). In both data sets, CFAs confirm the 10 basic values, a modified quasi-circumplex rather than a simple circumplex structure, and the claim that values form a motivational continuum.

Interpersonal Personality Measures Show Circumplex Structure Based on New Psychometric Criteria

The importance of the interpersonal circle in organizing the interpersonal domain is complemented by its empirical relations with broader personality taxonomies and with more specific personality variables. Yet circumplex structure in interpersonal measures has often been investigated using the "eyeball test" rather than using circumplex criteria of known effectiveness. Simulations (Acton, 1999) showed the effectiveness of 5 exploratory criteria (3 entirely new) that assess the properties of equal spacing, constant radius, and no preferred rotation. Along with Browne's (1992) criterion, these were applied to the Interpersonal Checklist (ICL; LaForge & Suczek, 1955; N = 763), Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS; Wiggins, 1979; Ns = 716 and 187), Revised IAS (IAS-R; Wiggins, Trapnell, & Phillips, 1988; N = 474), Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales (IIP-C; Alden, Wiggins, & Pincus, 1990; Ns = 616 and 1,381), and Inventory of Interpersonal Goals (IIG; Horowitz, Dryer, & Krasnoperova, 1997; N = 318). In corroboration of interpersonal theory, all showed circumplex structure.

Development of interests and competency beliefs: A 1-year longitudinal study of fifth- to eighth-grade students using the ICA-R and structural equation modeling.

The relative influence of interest and self-efficacy beliefs on each other over 1 year was examined in 2 longitudinal samples of students, I of elementary school students (Grade 5, N = 126) and 1 of middle school students (Grade 7, N = 221). Interest and competence ratings on the Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional scales (J. L. Holland, 1997) were assessed using the Inventory of Children's Activities-Revised (T. J. G. Tracey & C. C. Ward, 1998). Responses were examined using structural equation modeling, and the results demonstrated that there were changes both in the structure and level of interest and competence ratings over time. The circumplex structure was found to become more prominent over time, especially by 8th grade, and overall mean levels of interest and competence ratings decreased over time. Interest and competence ratings were found to predict each other equally over time. Finally, there were significant grade, gender, time, Time × Grade, and Time × Gender effects on the scale score means. Results are discussed with respect to implications for interest development and assessment.