Accuracy of self-perception and group-perception as related to two leadership roles.

48 members of a coeducational sociology class were rated by their peers as regards "leadership" and "popularity." The top 7 leaders and 5 popular members were compared for accuracy of perception of group status relationships with the following results: popular members were more accurate than leaders in their perception of the popularity of others. There was no difference between leaders and popular group members in accuracy of perception of the leadership status of others. Popular members were more accurate than leaders in their perception of significant group dimensions. Popular group members did not differ from leaders in accuracy of perception of self on personality variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trait-inferential relationships and judgments about the personalities of others.

Discusses the effects of trait-inferential relationships, defined in terms of perceived probabilities of joint occurrence, on the perception of the personalities of others. 216 male and female undergraduates served as judges predicted the targets' responses to personality statements, highly or lowly inferentially related to the target information. Judges made a greater number of trait-inference judgments, were more certain, and were more willing to make a prediction on high-inferential than on low-inferential statements. Female judges were more inferentially "accurate" and thus more certain of their predictions than male judges. Other aspects of the data suggest that judges may have experienced conflict on statements that were inferentially negatively related to the target information, but frequently endorsed by others. A secondary analysis of the data indirectly supported this interpretation. (French summary) (26 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dyadic crisis suicides in mental hospital patients.

Studied 70 cases of completed suicide among male veterans: 50 "dyadic" (precipitated by disruption of interpersonal relations), and 20 controls (precipitated by nondyadic events). Case history and hospitalization factors, personality characteristics of both members of the dyad, characteristics of their interpersonal relationships, stresses immediately prior to the suicide, and patterns of dependency were related. The dyadic suicide group showed more (a) disordered social relationships, (b) suppression or rejection of significant others when young, (c) open dependence in varied areas, and (d) diagnoses of depression. Distinguishable, although overlapping, personality configurations emerged when the dyadic group was broken down into subgroups of strained, broken, and terminated relationships. It is concluded that the dyadic partner should be included in the treatment program of suicidal patients when the main problem is the relationship. (21 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpersonal rigidity, hostility, and complementarity in musical bands.

In this test of interpersonal theory (R. C. Carson, 1969; D. J. Kiesler, see record 70-10243; T. Leary, 1957; J. S. Wiggins, 1982), complementarity and interpersonal rigidity were examined in relation to positive regard for others and group integration among 206 members of 54 musical bands. Complementarity was associated with more positive regard and more group integration in bands consisting of musicians who were high in interpersonal rigidity (as indexed by vector length on the interpersonal circle), whereas the effect was less strong in bands consisting of musicians who were lower in rigidity. The meager support for personality compatibility in groups and dyads observed in previous research could thus be due to a neglect of interpersonal rigidity-flexibility. There was also evidence that hostile complementarity was beneficial to the relationships of hostile individuals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Projection of hostility on the TAT as a function of stimulus, background, and personality variables.

The effects of stimulus, background, and personality factors on the TAT were examined. Stimulus was measured by scaling the TAT for hostility and background by use of 2 instructional sets, "look your best" and "impersonal," and personality, by selecting via pooled rankings, 96 college men and women from an initial sample of 802 who were extremely hostile or friendly (group judgments) and who thought of themselves as hostile or friendly. Hypotheses that hostile persons would not project more hostility than friendly persons, but persons with hostile self-concepts would project more hostility than persons with friendly self-concepts were confirmed. The stimulus was the most important determinant of response, and low and medium hostile cards better than highly hostile ones in discriminating groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

You probably think this paper's about you: Narcissists' perceptions of their personality and reputation.

Do narcissists have insight into the negative aspects of their personality and reputation? Using both clinical and subclinical measures of narcissism, the authors examined others' perceptions, self-perceptions, and meta-perceptions of narcissists across a wide range of traits for a new acquaintance and close other (Study 1), longitudinally with a group of new acquaintances (Study 2), and among coworkers (Study 3). Results bring 3 surprising conclusions about narcissists: (a) they understand that others see them less positively than they see themselves (i.e., their meta-perceptions are less biased than are their self-perceptions), (b) they have some insight into the fact that they make positive first impressions that deteriorate over time, and (c) they have insight into their narcissistic personality (e.g., they describe themselves as arrogant). These findings shed light on some of the psychological mechanisms underlying narcissism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Opinion change as a function of some intrapersonal attributes of the communicatees.

The following hypotheses are proposed: (1) Individuals high in extrapunitiveness are more likely to be influenced by a communication designed to effect an aggressive opinion on action toward a particular group, (2) such a communication is more likely to be effective on those with high aggressive needs, and (3) those high in aggressive needs and in extrapunitiveness are more likely to be influenced by the communication than those low in both. S's initial opinions about juvenile delinquency were assessed; then, after being exposed to the test communications over a period of time, their revised opinions were assessed. The Rosenzweig P-F Study and the TAT were used to determine personality characteristics. The data confirm the hypotheses, particularly for the immediate aspects of the communication. 22 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-image bias in person perception.

Conducted 3 experiments using a total of 283 male and female high school students. Exp I demonstrated that the more desirable the self-rating on a personality characteristic, the more central that characteristic is in perceiving others. This self-image bias in person perception was hypothesized to reflect the defense mechanism protecting high self-evaluation. In Exp II it appeared that, consistent with this defense interpretation, there was lower self-image bias among Ss in a condition that reduced defensiveness by using objective self-awareness techniques. Exp II also suggested an alternative to this defense explanation: a purely cognitive process whereby self-image mediates external evaluative stimuli and centrality of characteristics. Exp III attempted to test this alternative explanation; results support a cognitive interpretation of self-image bias in person perception. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Action and insight.

Reviews the book, Action and insight by Paul L. Wachtel (see record 1988-97486-000). Action and insight is a compendium of Paul Wachtel's most important papers. Wachtel's capacity to move from personality theory to clinical theory to clinical technique, with each informing the others, is probably unequaled by any other contemporary psychologist. His reflections on personality are in noteworthy contrast to so much contemporary work in personality psychology. Wachtel begins the book with a series of chapters on theory, in which he challenges several aspects of psychodynamic thinking, and lays out his theory of "cyclical psychodynamics." Wachtel also challenges the "motivational omnipotence" of psychoanalytic theory, which underemphasizes cognitive and situational determinants of behavior. Wachtel's suggestions for clinical technique flow organically from his theoretical position. If the cornerstone of a theory of psychopathology is repression--not knowing--then the cornerstone of treatment must be insight--knowing. If, however, another cornerstone of the theory is anxiety, then action and insight become intertwined, and a more active intervention style may be necessary. Action and insight is a cogent, sophisticated, clearly written book that challenges clinicians from every point of view. This is integrative work at its best. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Who knows what about a person? The self–other knowledge asymmetry (SOKA) model.

This article tests a new model for predicting which aspects of personality are best judged by the self and which are best judged by others. Previous research suggests an asymmetry in the accuracy of personality judgments: Some aspects of personality are known better to the self than others and vice versa. According to the self–other knowledge asymmetry (SOKA) model presented here, the self should be more accurate than others for traits low in observability (e.g., neuroticism), whereas others should be more accurate than the self for traits high in evaluativeness (e.g., intellect). In the present study, 165 participants provided self-ratings and were rated by 4 friends and up to 4 strangers in a round-robin design. Participants then completed a battery of behavioral tests from which criterion measures were derived. Consistent with SOKA model predictions, the self was the best judge of neuroticism-related traits, friends were the best judges of intellect-related traits, and people of all perspectives were equally good at judging extraversion-related traits. The theoretical and practical value of articulating this asymmetry is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Group climate as a factor in the relevance and accuracy of social perception.

"Twenty-eight groups of five or four graduate students each, controlled for sex, education, and acquaintance were assigned to congenial or noncongenial group climates." The accuracy of social perception as a function of the "climate" of social interaction was studied. "Individuals in congenial groups were significantly more accurate in perceiving task oriented behavior of their group than were individuals in noncongenial groups… . Individuals in noncongenial groups were not more accurate in perceiving the interpersonal relations in the groups than were individuals in congenial groups." Other findings on accuracy of perception are reported. "It is concluded that social climates can predictably affect the perception of task-oriented behavior, but that further research on the relationships among social climate, ego-oriented behavior, and accuracy in social perception is necessary." 24 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Negro stereotype and perceptual accentuation.

3 hypotheses were tested: (1) There is no difference in the degree of personality stereotyping of Negro photographs varying widely in physiognomic Negroidness; (2) Anti-Negro judges exaggerate the personality stereotype of Negroes, whereas pro-Negro judges de-emphasize it; and (3) Both anti- and pro-Negro judges perceive the Negro as more Negroid in physiognomic traits than do neutral judges. The first 2 hypotheses were supported by the data. Although a comparison of the mean Negroidness scores for the 3 groups of judges supported the third hypothesis, the difference between the neutral group and the pro-Negro group was not statistically significant. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability and validity of depressive personality disorder

OBJECTIVE: Depressive personality disorder was introduced into DSM-IV's appendix amid controversy. While that disorder appears to be a reliable and valid one, the authors offer new data about its relationship to major depression, dysthymic disorder, and other personality disorders. METHOD: The authors assessed 54 subjects with early-onset, long-standing mild depressive features for depressive personality disorder, axis I and axis II disorders, family history, and treatment history; they conducted follow-up interviews 1 year after the baseline assessment. Subjects with (N=30) and without (N=24) depressive personality disorder were characterized and compared in terms of those variables. RESULTS: Although depressive personality disorder and dysthymia co-occurred in some subjects, 63% of subjects with depressive personality disorder did not have dysthymia, and 60% did not have current major depression. Although subjects with depressive personality disorder were more likely than the mood disorder comparison group to have another personality disorder, 40% had no such disorder. Contrary to study hypotheses, mood disorder was not more common in first-degree relatives of subjects with depressive personality disorder than in relatives of the comparison group. Subjects with and without depressive personality disorder had similar rates of past treatment with medication and psychotherapy; however, the duration of psychotherapy was significantly longer for subjects with than for those without depressive personality. The depressive personality diagnosis was relatively stable over the 1-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive personality disorder appears to be a relatively stable condition with incomplete overlap with axis I mood disorders and personality disorders. Further studies are needed to better characterize its treatment response and relationship to axis I mood disorders.     

Through the looking glass clearly: Accuracy and assumed similarity in well-adjusted individuals' first impressions.

Do well-adjusted individuals have particularly accurate insight into what others are like or are they biased, primarily seeing their own characteristics in others? In the current studies, the authors examined how psychologically adjusted individuals tend to see new acquaintances, directly comparing their levels of distinctive accuracy (accurately perceiving others' unique characteristics), normative accuracy (perceiving others as similar to the average person), and assumed similarity (perceiving others as similar to the self). Across two interactive, round-robin studies, well-adjusted individuals, compared with less adjusted individuals, did not perceive new acquaintances' unique characteristics more accurately but did perceive new acquaintances, on average, as similar to the average person, reflecting an accurate understanding of what people generally tend to be like. Furthermore, well-adjusted individuals had a biased tendency to perceive their own unique characteristics in others. Of note, both pre-existing perceiver adjustment and target-specific liking independently predicted greater accuracy and assumed similarity in first impressions. In sum, well-adjusted individuals see through the looking glass clearly: although they erroneously see others as possessing their own unique characteristics, they accurately understand what others generally tend to be like. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceiver effects as projective tests: What your perceptions of others say about you.

In 3 studies, we document various properties of perceiver effects—or how an individual generally tends to describe other people in a population. First, we document that perceiver effects have consistent relationships with dispositional characteristics of the perceiver, ranging from self-reported personality traits and academic performance to well-being and measures of personality disorders, to how liked the person is by peers. Second, we document that the covariation in perceiver effects among trait dimensions can be adequately captured by a single factor consisting of how positively others are seen across a wide range of traits (e.g., how nice, interesting, trustworthy, happy, and stable others are generally seen). Third, we estimate the 1-year stability of perceiver effects and show that individual differences in the typical perception of others have a level of stability comparable to that of personality traits. The results provide compelling evidence that how individuals generally perceive others is a stable individual difference that reveals much about the perceiver's own personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Antisemitism, judgmental processes, and displacement of hostility.

"The present study was designed to test a theoretical argument used to explain the different results in various investigations of the scapegoat theory of prejudice… . it is suggested that the index of hostility displacement employed by Berkowitz… [see 34: 2746] was more affected by judgmental processes than the indices of fantasy aggression used by… other investigators, and that highly prejudiced people make different kinds of judgments under stress than do people lower in prejudice." 2 groups of high and low feelings of anti-Semitism were placed in stressful and non-stressful, non-ego-involving situations. The results tend to support the hypotheses. Difference in capacity for perceptual discrimination was seen as affecting results rather than conceptual rigidity. From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4GD10B. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The open and closed mind: A review of dogmatism.

Research on Rokeach's concept of dogmatism is reviewed and structured into 10 areas: authoritarianism, the Dogmatism scale, personality, adjustment, group behavior, parent-child relationships, time perception, cognitive inconsistency, problem solving, and learning. Findings generally support the validity of Rokeach's concept, particularly as a generalized theory of authoritarianism independent of ideological content. Evidence suggests that a "dogmatic personality" style exists and may be readily identified. Limitations of the work done on dogmatism are noted and suggestions for specific areas of future research are made. (4 p. ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The delivery of qualified care to patients with maxillary and craniofacial pathology

While there is certainly no perfect organization, some are more suited to one's personality traits than others. Taking the time to examine as many aspects of the organization as needed helps secure insight into the personality that dominates the organization. It can make the difference between an unhappy experience or a comfortable fit.