Intransitivity on Paired-Comparisons Instruments

Abstract

Intransitivity associated with the method of paired comparisons for scaling stimulus objects has been hypothesized in previous research to relate to the psychological and/or physical distance between stimulus objects. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether paired-comparisons in transitivity is a function of intransitivity associated with specific stimulus objects rather than a function of the entire set of stimulus objects. Three 190- item, paired-comparisons instruments with diverse content (i.e., vocational needs, mate preferences, and food preferences) were designed to examine the relationship between Stimulus Circular Triads and the Total Circular Triad score and were adminis tered to 276 high school and 358 college students. Results of univariate correlational analyses and multiple-regression techniques suggested that paired-comparisons intransitivity relates to individual differences variables associated with the respondent, although there were differences in the absolute level of intransitivity associated with each of the three sets of stimuli.