Interpersonal Behavior, Range of Ratings, and Personal Security

Abstract

This work concerns personality correlates of the range individuals used when rating interpersonal behavior within 23 small groups. After both 22 and 45 hours of interaction participants rated own and peers' conduct for self-acceptance and acceptance of others. Data from both occasions yielded individuals' range of ratings on each measure, substantive self- and peer-based ratings, and related discrepancies (own minus peers' mean ratings). Aggregated range scores always correlated with same-occasion discrepancies negatively and significantly. Range also generally associated contrarily with self-acceptance and other-acceptance despite their positive overlap, ranges' modest reliability, and other obstacles. Resembling Maslow's (1970) distinction between esteem-oriented and safety-oriented persons, users of wider ranges interacted more assertively and confidently yet rated selves closer to how peers rated them, while users of narrower ranges interacted more cautiously and “nicely” but over-rated selves relative to their ratings from peers.