The psycholexical approach to the structure of interpersonal traits

Abstract

In this study the structure of interpersonal behaviour is investigated following the principles of the so‐called psycholexical approach. The interpersonal trait descriptors are selected from a comprehensive set of 1203 trait descriptive adjectives, constructed by Brokken (1978). Self‐ratings and peer ratings (N = 400) on the subset of 454 interpersonal trait adjectives were subjected to Principal Components analysis. The main results centre around a two‐factor solution, approximately reflecting the axis of the traditional interpersonal circumplex, Dominance and Nurturance. The relationship of the two interpersonal factors with the Big Five is discussed, as well as the relationship with the set of traits judged non‐interpersonal.