Direction of Error on the Body Adjustment Test

Abstract

Intercorrelations of scores on the Body Adjustment Test and other criterion measures of psychological differentiation tested the hypothesis that the magnitude of correlation is a function of the availability of intellectualization as a coping and defense mechanism. It is suggested that Ss who, on Body Adjustment series “b,” cross the position of true upright before they decide that they are, in fact, upright are not using all the available intellectual cues. Utilizing Ss who do not cross the position of true upright vs matched Ss who do cross that position, the study demonstrated that the intercorrelations between Body Adjustment series “b” and the other criterion measures is higher for Ss who cross-over 0° deviation, than for those Ss who do not cross that position. This is taken as supportive of the hypothesis that intellectualization (as available to the non cross-overs) mitigates field influences for the, relatively, psychologically dependent individuals, on the Body Adjustment series “b” tests. The study also demonstrates the value of considering the results of Body Adjustment series “a” and series “b” separately when measuring cognitive style—contrary to the prevalent practice of combining the two series into one measure.