Das Inventar zur Erfassung interpersonaler Motive (IIM)

Development and Validation of a German Interpersonal Sensitivities Circumplex (ISC-G)

Abstract. The Interpersonal Sensitivities Circumplex (ISC) assesses individual differences in sensitivities to aversive interpersonal behaviors. In this research (total N = 1,519), we developed and validated a German adaptation of the ISC (ISC-G) and extended the nomological net of interpersonal sensitivity as a construct. Using the structural summary method, we investigated associations with self- and informant reports of adaptive (interpersonal) personality traits as well as self-reported personality functioning, maladaptive personality traits, childhood trauma, and hypersensitivity. Replicating and extending previous findings with the ISC, the present research sheds light on the interplay between different personality traits and the perception of others’ interpersonal behavior. Results suggested that individuals report experiencing interpersonal behavior opposite to their own self-description in terms of agency and communion as aversive. This oppositional pattern was most pronounced for antagonistic vs. agreeable traits/behaviors. We discuss these results in the context of research on personality pathology.

Agentic and communal interaction goals in conflictual intergroup relations

Members of conflicting groups experience threats to different identity dimensions, resulting in the need to restore the aspect of identity that was threatened. Do these needs translate into specific goals in social interactions? In the present research, we examined the hypotheses that (1) experiencing one’s ingroup as illegitimately disadvantaged or victimized arouses agentic goals (to act and appear assertive and confident) when interacting with the advantaged or victimizing group, while (2) experiencing one’s ingroup as illegitimately advantaged or perpetrating transgressions arouses communal goals (to act and appear warm and trustworthy) when interacting with the disadvantaged or victimized group. Study 1 (N = 391) generally supported both hypotheses across diverse intergroup contexts involving gender, national/ethnic, and consumer identities. Study 2 (N = 122) replicated this pattern in a context of occupational identities. Study 2 further showed that the effect of ingroup role on agentic and communal intergroup goals was not moderated by participants’ general dispositional preferences for agentic and communal goals in interpersonal interactions, thus demonstrating how ingroup role exerts a distinct and robust influence on goals for interactions with other groups. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Communal and Agentic Interpersonal and Intergroup Motives Predict Preferences for Status Versus Power

Seven studies involving 1,343 participants showed how circumplex models of social motives can help explain individual differences in preferences for status (having others' admiration) versus power (controlling valuable resources). Studies 1 to 3 and 7 concerned interpersonal motives in workplace contexts, and found that stronger communal motives (to have mutual trust, support, and cooperation) predicted being more attracted to status (but not power) and achieving more workplace status, while stronger agentic motives (to be firm, decisive, and influential) predicted being more attracted to and achieving more workplace power, and experiencing a stronger connection between workplace power and job satisfaction. Studies 4 to 6 found similar effects for intergroup motives: Stronger communal motives predicted wanting one's ingroup (e.g., country) to have status-but not power-relative to other groups. Finally, most people preferred status over power, and this was especially true for women, which was partially explained by women having stronger communal motives.

IAL-K: Entwicklung einer Kurzform der Interpersonalen Adjektivliste

Zusammenfassung. Der Interpersonale Circumplex (IC) ist ein etabliertes Modell zur Beschreibung und Messung interpersonaler Variablen. Die Kurzversion der Interpersonalen Adjektivliste (IAL-K) setzt das IC-Konzept zur Messung individueller Unterschiede im interpersonalen Stil um. Anhand von vier Stichproben (N1 = 1127, N2 = 610, N3 = 286, N4 = 128) wurden die IAL-Skalen um 47 % auf 34 Items gekürzt und die Kurzskalen hinsichtlich ihrer strukturellen, konvergenten und divergenten Validität, Reliabilität und zeitlichen Stabilität geprüft. Ferner wurde ihr konstruktanalytisches Potenzial an 14 Kriteriumsvariablen veranschaulicht. Die IAL-K zeigte gute Konstruktvalidität, zufriedenstellende psychometrische Eigenschaften und hohe Konvergenz zur IAL. Sie kann daher als reliable, valide und inhaltlich nahezu deckungsgleiche, jedoch deutlich ökonomischere Kurzversion der IAL betrachtet werden.