The Dimensionality of Bipolar Scales in Self-Description

Abstract

Sets of bipolar scales were constructed for self- description for 13 different traits. Within each trait four scales, which differed in the relationship be tween the trait dimension and the desirability of the endpoints, were developed. Two scales had either both desirable or both undesirable endpoints. The other two scales had one desirable and one unde sirable endpoint but differed from one another in the direction of the trait dimension. Self-descrip tions were obtained from 606 students on the 13 sets of scales and bipolar marker scales to measure the dimensions of evaluation, potency, activity, and familiarity. In addition, each student answered a true-false social desirability scale. The data were factor analyzed and rotated to simple structure. The factors closely reflected the trait dimensions. There were no factors that could be interpreted as either a social desirability or evaluation factor. The correlations of the bipolar scales that had differ ences in desirability of the endpoints averaged .12 with the social desirability scale and .13 with the evaluation marker scale. The correlations between the scales within each trait set reflected primarily the trait relationships but seemed to be moderated by the effects of evaluation or desirability. Scores were obtained on the sum of the four scales within each trait dimension. These scores were reasonably internally consistent and uncorrelated with social desirability. The potential for this method of per sonality assessment is discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Block, J. The challenge of response sets. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1965.

Edwards, A.L. The social desirability variable in personality assessment and research. New York: Dry-den, 1957.

Edwards, A.L. The measurement of personality traits by scales and inventories. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1970.

Edwards, A.L. , & Heathers, L.B. The first factor of the MMPI: Social desirability or ego strength? Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1962, 26, 99-100.

Felipe, A. Evaluative versus descriptive consistency in trait inferences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1970,16, 627-638.

Ford, L.H. , & Meisels, M. Social desirability and the semantic differential. In J. G. Snider & C. E. Osgood (Eds.), Semantic differential technique: A sourcebook. Chicago: Aldine, 1969.

Goldberg, L.R. Language and personality: Developing a taxonomy of trait-descriptive terms . Invited address to the division of Evaluation and Measurement at the 86th annual convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, August 1977 .

Gray, J.E. Dimensions of personality and meaning in self-ratings of personality. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 1973,12, 319-322.

Hathaway, S.R. , & McKinley, J.C. Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory (rev. ed. New York: Psychological Corporation, 1951.

10.

Nunnally, J.C. Popular conceptions of mental health: Their development and change. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1961.

11.

Osgood, C.E. , Suci, G. , & Tannenbaum, P. The measurement of meaning. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1957.

12.

Peabody, D. Trait inferences: Evaluative and descriptive aspects. Jo urnal of Personality and Social Psychology Monograph, 1967, 7 (Whole No. 644).

13.

Peabody, D. Evaluative and descriptive aspects in personality perception: A reappraisal . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1970, 16, 639-646.

14.

Warr, P. , & Haycock, V. Scales for a British personality differential. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 1970, 9, 328-337.

15.

Wiggins, J.S. A psychological taxonomy of trait-descriptive terms: The interpersonal domain . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1979, 37, 395-412.