ANALYSIS OF GENERALITY OF TRAIT-INFERENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Mapped trait-inferential relationships by applying multidimensional scaling techniques to judgments of the probability of joint endorsement of pairs of personality statements. 3 bipolar dimensions of inference were obtained, identified as impulsivity-control, independence-dependence, and aggression-social approval. Only the 1st dimension was significantly related to desirability. The dimensions showed evidence of extremely high stability across male and female judges and moderate similarity with dimensions derived from trait adjectives. A remarkably close correspondence between inferential dimensions and those derived from separate factor analyses of 1029 male and 1002 female undergraduates responses to the Personality Research Form was interpreted as indicating that inferential relationships accurately reflect actual trait covariation. (33 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.