Interpersonal Circumplex Model Research Articles

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism on interpersonal circumplex model: reactions to criticism in romantic relationship

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism on interpersonal circumplex model: reactions to criticism in romantic relationship

Evaluating an Abbreviated Version of the Circumplex Team Scan Inventory of Within-Team Interpersonal Norms

Abstract. The Circumplex Team Scan (CTS) assesses the degree to which a team’s interaction/communication norms reflect each segment (16th) of the interpersonal circle/circumplex. We developed and evaluated an abbreviated 16-item CTS-16 that uses one CTS item to measure each segment. Undergraduates ( n = 446) completing engineering course projects in 139 teams completed the CTS-16. CTS-16 items showed a good fit to confirmatory structural models (e.g., that expect greater positive covariation between items theoretically closer to the circumplex). Individuals’ ratings sufficiently reflected team-level norms to justify averaging team members’ ratings. However, individual items’ marginal reliabilities suggest using the CTS-16 to assess general circumplex-wide patterns rather than specific segments. CTS-16 ratings correlated with respondents’ and their teammates’ ratings of team climate (inclusion, justice, psychological safety). Teams with more extraverted (introverted) members were perceived as having more confident/engaged (timid/hesitant) cultures. Members predisposed to social alienation perceived their team’s culture as relatively disrespectful/unengaged, but their teammates did not corroborate those perceptions. The results overall support the validity and utility of the CTS-16 and of an interpersonal circumplex model of team culture more generally.

Narcissism on interpersonal circumplex model: Reactions to imaginary abandonment and rejection.

Narcissism is a direct result of the lack of self-expression. Thus, this trait is enshrined in cycles of strategies to protect self-worth in interpersonal relationships. The aim of the present study was to understand in what way narcissistic individuals understand their interactions with themselves and others. The study included two groups comprising high grandiose narcissism (GN, n = 43) and high vulnerable narcissism (VN, n = 44). The participants who received scores that were one standard deviation (SD) above the mean, either on the PNI-grandiosity or on the PNI-vulnerable dimensions, constituted the GN and VN groups among 518 students (Age: M = 23.57, Sd = 2.13). The chi-square test was performed to evaluate the dimensions of narcissism with respect to responses of the participants and their partners (behavioral, cognitive, and emotional). The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) was administered to evaluate narcissistic characteristics. The "Criticism Story" of the Story Completion Inventory in Romantic Relationships (SCIRR) was used for criticism. The circular pattern between the responses of the participants and their partners was examined using the Interpersonal Schemas Scale (ISS). The results revealed that the vulnerable group gave more complementary responses emotionally and made more complementary predictions in terms of the expected reactions from the romantic partner than the grandiose group. The results were discussed in reference to the basic self-esteem-protecting motivations of the groups.

Employing Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory to Understand Dysfunction in Those at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis.

Poor social functioning is related to the development of psychosis; however, our current understanding of social functioning in those at-risk for psychosis is limited by (a) poor conceptual models of interpersonal behavior and (b) a reliance on comparisons to healthy controls (e.g., vs. clinical controls). In this study, we introduce Contemporary Integrated Interpersonal Theory (CIIT) and use its Interpersonal Circumplex (IPC) model to compare interpersonal behavior traits in those at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis, clinical controls, and healthy controls. A community sample (N = 3460) was used to derive estimates of IPC dimensions (i.e., affiliation and dominance), which were then compared among a large subsample that completed diagnostic interviews (N = 337), which included a CHR group, as well as several control groups ranging on degree of psychosis vulnerability and internalizing disorders. CHR individuals were distinguished from healthy controls by low affiliation (d = –1.31), and from internalizing disorder groups by higher dominance (d = 0.64). Negative symptoms were consistently associated with low affiliation and low dominance, whereas positive symptoms were related primarily to coldness. These results connect social functioning in psychosis risk to a rich theoretical framework and suggest a potentially distinct interpersonal signature for CHR individuals. More broadly, this study suggests that CIIT and the IPC may have utility for informing diagnostics and treatment development in psychosis risk research.

The Interpersonal Circumplex and the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders: Relationships among Older Adults

Introduction: The interpersonal circumplex model measures interpersonal dysfunction along two axes (communion and agency), resulting in eight unhealthy patterns: Domineering, Vindictive, Cold, Socially Avoidant, Nonassertive, Exploitable, Overly Nurturant, and Intrusive. It is unclear how the circumplex model applies to older adults and their unique biopsychosocial contexts. This study examined relationships between the circumplex and personality disorder features, using the Alternative Model of Personality Disorder’s (AMPD) personality functioning and pathological personality trait constructs. Method: Older adults (N = 202) completed the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Short Circumplex (IIP-SC), the Levels of Personality Functioning Scale-Self-Report (LPFS-SR), and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) to measure pathological personality traits. Results: Correlations were computed between the IIP-SC’s eight circumplex scales with the LPFS-SR’s four personality functioning domains and with the PID-5’s five domains. All circumplex scales significantly (p < .001) and positively correlated with all LPFS-SR and PID-5 domains, with large effect sizes (> .45). Next, regressions were conducted, with the LPFS-SR and PID-5 domains predicting each IIP-SC scale. Across the eight regressions, the AMPD constructs accounted for significant variance in the IIP-SC scales, ranging from 38% (Nonassertive) to 64% (Domineering and Cold). Discussion: Significant overlap between the interpersonal circumplex and the AMPD was demonstrated, but patterns are distinct from previous research among younger adults. The circumplex was limited in its relation to the AMPD’s personality functioning, but the pathological personality trait model was well represented through the circumplex. Results indicate that the circumplex may have some validity among older adults and warrants further investigation.

Contemporary psychological perspectives of personality disorders.

The aim of this study was to review the recent literature on contemporary psychological perspectives of personality disorders, including novel psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at these vulnerable individuals. Among the various psychological theories and models of personality disorders, still the most popular and researched are psychodynamic, cognitive and interpersonal perspectives. More specifically, object relations theory, cognitive schema conceptualization and interpersonal circumplex model have produced the most empirical investigations of personality disorders in recent years. Latest work has suggested that all three perspectives have contributed to and are compatible with the dimensional personality disorders framework in DSM-5-AMPD and ICD-11 (including level of personality functioning and personality traits). These models have yielded specific psychological treatments of personality disorders; although most psychotherapies have been constructed for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), there is an increasing number of treatment modalities aimed at individuals with other forms of personality disorder, such as those with narcissistic or antisocial traits/disorders. More research into their effectiveness and long-term benefits is necessary. Novel research keeps updating our knowledge on the cause, manifestations and psychological treatments of personality disorders, particularly from psychodynamic, cognitive and interpersonal perspectives.

When Depression Breeds Rejection Rather Than Compassion: Disagreeableness, Stigma, and Lack of Empathic Concern Among Support Providers

Past research has shown that the close relationships of depressed individuals are often characterised by rejection rather than compassion. The goal of this research was to broaden interpersonal models of depression by investigating the reports of support providers themselves. Individual differences, including disagreeableness, stigmatic beliefs about depression, and empathic concern were measured. These were examined in relation to reported interpersonal behaviours toward a significant other who was currently depressed. A cross-sectional design was used in an undergraduate (N = 312) and community sample (N = 296). Disagreeable individuals reported less compassionate and more rejecting behaviours toward depressed significant others based on an interpersonal circumplex model of social support. Serial mediation models further indicated that the associations between disagreeableness and rejecting behaviours reported by providers were mediated by stigma and lower empathic concern. The current studies shed light on how the personality, attitudes and emotions of support providers influence the level of compassion expressed toward depressed individuals.

The Nomological Network of the Short Dark Tetrad Scale (SD4)

Abstract. The present study examined the nomological network of the Short Dark Tetrad scale (SD4). The SD4 measures narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. We translated the original English SD4 into German and used an online sample ( N = 594, 77% women) to investigate its nomological network with regard to the Big Five, honesty-humility, maladaptive personality traits, impulsivity, aggression, motives, values, sociosexual orientation, the octants of the interpersonal circumplex model, and self-esteem. The overall profile similarities between the observed and hypothesized nomological networks were very high. Few correlations differed concerning direction or magnitude. Hence, our study extends the nomological network of the Dark Tetrad in a meaningful way and suggests that the SD4 can be validly interpreted and used for the assessment of narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism.

Roses and Balances: A Paradigm for Constructive Ethical Review of Health Professions Education Research.

Recently, the balance between value and necessity of ethical review of health professions education research has been debated. At present, there are large differences in how ethical review of research proposals for health professions education is organized. We present a framework that describes the organization of ethical review in health professions education research, based on the interpersonal circumplex model, also known as Leary’s Rose. The framework is based on the two main balances in ethical review of health professions education research, being the protectiveness for the subjects and how ethical review is organized and responsibilities are shared. The axis/balance of protectiveness ranges between the extremes “paternalistic protective” to “liberal permissive”. The axis/balance of organization and responsibility ranges between the extremes of “centralized” to “local/decentralized”. This model offers insight in the position of an ethical review board and shows the dynamics of the decisions for ethical approval and the consequences of the different approaches to the organization of ethical review of health professions education research.

Non-verbal Adaptation to the Interlocutors' Inner Characteristics: Relevance, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Human diversity cannot be denied. In our everyday social interactions, we constantly experience the fact that each individual is a unique combination of characteristics with specific cultural norms, roles, personality, and mood. Efficient social interaction thus requires an adaptation of communication behaviors to each specific interlocutor that one encounters. This is especially true for non-verbal communication that is more unconscious and automatic than verbal communication. Consequently, non-verbal communication needs to be understood as a dynamic and adaptive process in the theoretical modeling and study of social interactions. This perspective paper presents relevance, challenges, and future directions for the study of non-verbal adaptation in social interactions. It proposes that non-verbal adaptability is more pertinently studied as adaptation to interlocutor's inner characteristics (i.e., expectations or preferences) than to interlocutor's behaviors per se, because behaviors are communication messages that individuals interpret in order to understand their interlocutors. The affiliation and control dimensions of the Interpersonal Circumplex Model are proposed as a framework to measure both the interlocutors' inner characteristics (self-reported) and the individuals' non-verbal responses (external coders). These measures can then be compared across different interactions to assess an actual change in behavior tailored to different interlocutors. These recommendations are proposed in the hope of generating more research on the topic of non-verbal adaptability. Indeed, after having gathered the evidence on average effects of non-verbal behaviors, the field can go further than a “one size fits all” approach, by investigating the predictors, moderators, and outcomes of non-verbal adaptation to the interlocutors' inner characteristics.

In search of convergence between the main dimensions of interpersonal and basic human values in the context of personality traits

Interpersonal values are defined in terms of preferences for achieving specific interpersonal outcomes and ways of dealing with social interactions. They form an octant circumplex based on two dimensions – Agency and Communion, analogous to the Interpersonal Circumplex model. The purpose of this paper was twofold: (1) the integration of two different models that organize values in two diverse circular structures – interpersonal values and basic human values and (2) the inspection of the personality underpinnings of interpersonal and basic human values.The study was conducted on a group of 816 participants in Poland aged from 16 to 72.The results indicate (1) convergence between the dimension of Agency in interpersonal values and the dimension of Openness to Change vs. Conservation in basic values model, (2) convergence between the dimension of Communion in interpersonal values and the dimension of Self-Transcendence vs. Self-Enhancement values, (3) relations of interpersonal values with Agreeableness and Extraversion, as theoretically predicted on the basis of the key assumptions of the Interpersonal Circumplex, and (4) relations between basic human values and personality traits, suggesting there are common personality underpinnings of interpersonal and basic values.

Interpersonal problems of cocaine dependent adults differ from those of a normative sample

Our research examined patterns of interpersonal problems in patients with a primary diagnosis of cocaine dependence (CD), comparing them with those in a normative sample. We hypothesized that the patterns of individuals with CD would reveal constellations of interpersonal problems distinct from those of the sample, not only at baseline, but also at termination of treatment. Analysis was conducted on 402 CD patients from the training and the main trial phases of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study. Responses to the Inventory for Interpersonal Problems were analyzed—from baseline, from month one, and at treatment termination—according to the Interpersonal Circumplex Model and were compared to the normative sample. The CD sample was described using four distinct subtypes, named according to their relative angular displacement at baseline and highest two subscale means: Cold and Socially Avoidant, Vindictive and Domineering, Overly Nurturant and Intrusive, Nonassertive and Exploitable. Each subtype remained distinct across treatment and consistently reported different types of interpersonal difficulties than the normative population at termination, consistent with the interpersonal pathoplasticity model. In all subtypes, overall interpersonal distress decreased over the course of treatment, to the extent that by treatment termination they were no more or less distressed than the normative sample. These findings have important clinical implications. The interpersonal challenges of patients struggling with addiction to cocaine warrant clinical attention, beyond mediating levels of distress.

Mortality Risk Associated With Personality Facets of the Big Five and Interpersonal Circumplex Across Three Aging Cohorts.

To address the common reliance on the global Big Five domains in the personality and longevity literature, the present study examined mortality risk associated with subdimensions of Big Five domains as well as specific traits within the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) model of personality. Data were drawn from three major longitudinal studies of aging that administered the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised, a comprehensive measure of the Big Five, and comprised a total of 4223 participants. Item Response Theory models were used to generate latent trait scores for each of the 30 Big Five facets and eight scales from the IPC. Pooled mortality risk estimates were obtained from demographic-adjusted Cox regression models within each study. With a high degree of consistency, the vulnerability facet of neuroticism was associated with higher mortality risk and the activity facet of extraversion, with lower risk. None of the openness or agreeableness facets were associated with mortality, although the IPC scales submissiveness and hostile submissiveness were linked with elevated risk. All but one of the facets in the conscientiousness domain were robustly and consistently associated with lower mortality risk. Findings indicate that specific facets of neuroticism and extraversion carry greater or lesser mortality risk. Broad composite scales averaging across all facets mask important personality risk factors. In contrast, nearly all facets within the conscientiousness domain confer protection against mortality. Finally, the IPC model may capture more nuanced interpersonal risk factors than the facets of Big Five agreeableness or extraversion. Understanding of the role of personality in longevity requires a more precise approach to conceptualization and measurement than broad, composite constructs usually provide.

Construction and Validation of the Interpersonal Influence Tactics Circumplex (IIT-C) Scales

Assessment of interpersonal dispositions (e.g., traits, problems) commonly employs self- and informant-report measures that conform to the two-dimensional interpersonal circumplex (IPC) model. Here, we adopted the IPC and interpersonal theory as a framework for mapping the universe of content of interpersonal influence. Although there are existing measures of influence tactics used in influence research, this literature is divided among disciplines with varying construct definitions and no unifying theory. Here, we define interpersonal influence as the conscious maneuvering of one's behavior to engender desired responses from others in interpersonal situations. The current article details the construction and validation of the Interpersonal Influence Tactics Circumplex (IIT-C) Scales in two samples (Ns = 862, 608). The 64-item IIT-C assesses a comprehensive taxonomy of interpersonal influence tactics conforming to the structure of the IPC. Circumplex structure of the IIT-C was confirmed and replicated. Using the structural summary method for circumplex data, associations with other IPC measures, existing measures of influence, normal personality traits, and pathological personality traits supported the validity of IIT-C scores. The IIT-C assesses a theoretically based and empirically derived set of interpersonal influence tactics and provides a common language for integrating distinct streams of influence research by conforming to the IPC.

The Distinctive Associations of Interpersonal Problems with Personality Beliefs Within the Framework of Cognitive Theory of Personality Disorders

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between interpersonal problems and dysfunctional beliefs associated with personality disorders, within the framework of cognitive theory of personality disorders. Based on the proposition of cognitive theory, different dimensions of interpersonal problems which were assessed through the coordinates of interpersonal circumplex model were expected to be associated with specific categories of personality beliefs namely, deprecating, inflated, and ambivalent personality beliefs. Participants were 997 volunteer adults (304 males and 693 females) from Turkey, between the ages of 18 and 61. They completed the personality belief questionnaire, basic personality traits inventory, and inventory of interpersonal problems measures. Considering the well-established representations of personality disorders in Big Five space, and correspondence between five-factor model of personality and interpersonal circumplex model, the present study examined the hypothesized associations via a robust analysis where strongly relevant personality factors were statistically controlled for in each analysis. Results revealed that different dimensions of interpersonal problems distinctively associated with three personality belief categories; deprecating beliefs were associated with over-friendly submissiveness, inflated beliefs were associated with dominance, and ambivalent beliefs were associated with hostile/cold dominance. Findings supported the validity of cognitive formulations (view of self and view of others) of the personality disorders proposed by the cognitive theory, also highlighted the priority of interpersonal problems in personality psychopathology.

Age and sex differences in basic personality traits and interpersonal problems across young adulthood

The present study aims to explore the nature of age and sex differences in personality constructs throughout the young adulthood; particularly differences on personality traits and interpersonal problems, on the basis of the five-factor model and the interpersonal circumplex model. The sample consisted of 514 participants from Turkey, 257 of whom were male, and 257 were female whose ages varied from 18 to 35 (M = 24.92). To strengthen the study results, participants in the sample were individually matched on both sex and age; so that there were same number of females and males at the same age. Results indicated that men were stronger in terms of openness and hostile-dominance, whereas women were stronger in neuroticism and agreeableness traits. Regarding age differences, conscientiousness had a significant increasing pattern whereas hostile-dominance had a significant decreasing pattern with aging throughout young adulthood. Implications of the findings were discussed in line with the literature considering stability versus change debate, and gender issues in personality within a cultural and developmental context.

CONTEMPORARY INTEGRATIVE INTERPERSONAL THEORY OF PERSONALITY: KEY CONCEPTS

This article is devoted to the concept of integrative interpersonal theory of personality. The origins of the interpersonal theory of personality are found in interpersonal theory of psychiatry. This approach facilitates interdisciplinary conceptualizations of functioning and treatment by emphasizing the interpersonal situation as a prominent unit of analysis, organized by the metaconstructs of agency and communion and the interpersonal circumplex model. The interpersonal circumplex can serve as both companion and guide for those interested in exploring the interpersonal domain of personality. It is outlined the major assumptions and key concepts of the contemporary integrative interpersonal theory of personality. The features and the variety of studies, including several recent studies that extend integrative interpersonal theory are outlined. It is established that applications of the model for exploring both the idiographic (person‐centered) and nomothetic (variable‐centered) realms of personality. The contemporary interpersonal tradition assumes a pathoplastic relationship between interpersonal functioning and many forms of psychopathology. Key concepts of interpersonal theory: Copy process, Catalysts of internalization, Interpersonal motives, Regulatory Metagoals are described. The interpersonal nexus in psychology is a nomological net that provides the architecture to coordinate definition of personality. Given the advances in interpersonal theory and description discussed here, we would argue that agentic and communal personality characteristics should be essential components of an interdisciplinary science of personality psychology.&#x0D; Стаття присвячена аналізу сучасної інтегративної міжособистісної теорії особистості, що базується на міжособистісній теорії психіатрії, згідно з якою міжособистісна ситуація як одиниця аналізу дозволяє реалізувати міждисциплінарний підхід до діагностики, терапії та лікування пато­психологічних станів. При цьому наголошується, що утворений метаконструктами контекст комунікації по суті є моделлю міжособистісного комплексу, який дозволяє вивчати особистість комплексно, в кон­тексті інтегративного підходу, базуючись не лише на принципах патології, а й на принципах гуманізму. Окреслено основні поняття сучасної інтегративної міжособистісної теорії особистості: копінг-процеси, каталізатори інтерналізації, міжособистісні мотиви, регуляторні метацілі. Проаналізовано численні дослідження (зокрема сучасні), що не лише розкривають основні поняття інтегративної міжособистісної теорії, а й демонструють можливості її використання у практичній психології та психотерапії. Вста­новлено, що застосування інтегративної міжособистісної теорії для вивчення ідеографічних (орієнтованих на людину) та номотетичних (орієнтованих на норми) сфер дозволяють розглядати особистість комп­лексно, у взаємозв’язку її різних властивостей. Сучасна міжособистісна традиція передбачає зумовленість соціального функціонування міжособистісним контекстом, тобто міжособистісний аспект у психології є номологічною мережею, яка забезпечує основу для інтегративного визначення особистості. З урахуванням надбань міжособистісної теорії та досвіду її використання у практичній психології та психотерапії, констатується, що ключові її аспекти можуть вважатися основними компонентами міждисциплінарної психології особистості.

Domeni Interpersonalnog cirkumpleks modela kao prediktori osobina ličnosti mladih na Kosovu i Metohiji

The Interpersonal Circumplex Model forms the theoretical basis of the paper, which explains the behaviour of the individual in interpersonal relationships and the Big-Five Personality Model, which implies the existence of five basic dimensions of personality. The paper aimed at examining the predictive power of the domain of the interpersonal circumplex model in predicting personality traits of youth in Kosovo and Metohija. The sample consisted of young people aged 18 to 26 studying at these three faculties (Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Law) at the University of Pristina with temporary head office in Kosovska Mitrovica. The following instruments were used to collect the data: The Interpersonal Questionnaire (IPQ-S 76) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI). Results of the regression analysis show that the interpersonal circumplex model is significant in predicting extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and pleasantness, and the percentage of variance explaining personality traits ranges from 16 to 40%. The following variables were singled out from the group of predictor variables: (non) Fearfulness and Extraversion in Extraversion Prediction; Assertiveness, Belonging/Attachment, and (non) Manipulativeness in Predicting Openness to Experience; (non) Equanimity in predicting conscientiousness; (non) Assertiveness and (non) Reservation as well as Belonging in predicting pleasantness. Young people who are assertive, sociable and warm-hearted, are characterized by optimism, cordiality, openness to change and new experiences. The findings obtained are in harmony with some previous studies that showed that the interpersonal circumplex model contributes substantially to predicting extraversion and pleasantness.

Interpersonal problem behavior and low back pain.

ObjectiveThe theory of interpersonal problem behaviour (IPB) provides a more fundamental framework for understanding the psychosocial aspects of pain. The present study focused on the IPB, based on the Interpersonal Problem Circumplex (IPC), in persons with low back pain and its association with pain, psychological characteristics, and health care utilisation.MethodsIn a cross-sectional design, individuals with back pain (N = 88) and healthy control persons who matched by age, gender, and educational level (N = 88) were compared with regard to IPB. Furthermore, back pain patients classified by their IPB (N = 24 low, N = 48 moderate, N = 16 high) were compared regarding pain, depression, catastrophising, and health care utilisation.ResultsIn comparison to the healthy reference sample, a significant difference in the interpersonal problems of the low back pain group, with a tendency towards being overly ‘introverted’, ‘exploitable’, and ‘subassertive’, was revealed. In the back pain group, participants with elevated IPB showed significantly higher levels of pain intensity, functional disability, depression, catastrophising, and health care utilisation than participants with IPB in the normal range.ConclusionApplication of the Interpersonal Circumplex Model can help to characterize a subgroup of persons with low back pain. Increased general interpersonal problems are associated with elevated burden in pain-related, psychological, and health care-related variables. Future research should focus on the treatment opportunities for this subgroup, as well as on the influence of interpersonal problems during the course of back pain.

Responses to dominance challenge are a function of psychopathy level: A multimethod study.

This study assesses the relationship between psychopathy and dominance, both as a trait level and in 2 interpersonal contexts. Following the interpersonal circumplex model, we expected that interacting with a dominant interviewer would reduce dominance displays by low psychopathy participants (interpersonal complementarity) but might increase such displays in those with higher psychopathy (anticomplementarity). Psychopathic traits and dominance were assessed in a community sample (N = 91) using multiple dominance indicators: self-reported overall dominance level, job preference, dominance displays observed during identical interviews with a subordinate and dominant interviewer, and baseline and postinterview measures of personal space and testosterone level. Psychopathic traits were positively related to dominance on both trait measures and in the interviews. As a trait, higher self-reported psychopathy scores were associated with higher levels of self-reported dominance and preference for supervisory job positions. Higher Factor 1 psychopathy scores were associated with increased dominance display in interaction with the dominant interviewer. Higher Factor 2 scores were associated with allowing the dominant interviewer to approach more closely (reduced physical distancing). Psychopathy was partly related to a delayed increase in testosterone levels after interaction. Psychopathic traits may include a general tendency to dominate, a tendency which increases when interacting with a dominant other. The emotional/interpersonal psychopathy factor is specifically related to increased dominance displays when interacting with a dominant individual, while the behavioral factor of psychopathy is related to reduced physical distancing of a dominant partner. At higher psychopathy levels the general rule of dominant-subordinate reciprocity during social interaction is reversed. (PsycINFO Database Record