Patrick M. Markey

Complementarity of Interpersonal Behaviors in Dyadic Interactions

An important assumption of interpersonal theory is that during social interactions the behavior of one person tends to invite com-plementary behavior from the other person. Past research examining complementarity has usually used either confederates or fictitious interaction partners in their designs and has produced inconsistent results. The current study used observational ratings of behaviors of 158 participants as they interacted with partners across three different dyadic social situations. Randomization tests of hypothesized order relations found that the behaviors exhibited during these interactions tended to occur in a circular pattern predicted by the interpersonal circumplex. These tests also indicated support for Learys (1957) orientation of the control and affiliation dimensions of the interpersonal circumplex and Carsons (1969) notion that dominant behavior induces submissive responses and friendly behavior encourages friendly responses.

Vulnerability to Violent Video Games: A Review and Integration of Personality Research

In this report, past research is reviewed, which suggests that the personality traits of psychoticism and aggressiveness likely moderate the negative effects of violent video games (VVGs). The Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality is then used as a taxonomy to integrate these findings and examine why these traits are important moderator variables. Analyses suggest that these traits likely moderate the effects of VVGs because they contain the FFM traits neuroticism (+), agreeableness (−), and conscientiousness (−). A spherical model of personality, derived from these three FFM traits, is presented as a method of predicting aggression and hostility after playing VVGs; archival data confirms the predictions derived from this spherical model. Findings from the current research demonstrate the utility of a three-trait spherical model to examine the moderating effects of VVGs and suggest that only some individuals are adversely affected by VVGs and that those who are affected have preexisting dispositions, which make them susceptible to such violent media.

Romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and relationship experiences: The complementarity of interpersonal traits among romantic partners

This research applied three different models of complementarity to romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and the quality of romantic relationships: (i) Carsons (1969) model of interpersonal complementarity (i.e., individuals similar to each other on warmth, but opposite on dominance, are most compatible); (ii) Wigginss (1979) model of complementarity (i.e., individuals whose personalities occur in a manner predicted by social exchange theory are most compatible); and (iii) the model of similarity (i.e., individuals with similar personalities are most compatible). Study 1 examined the personality traits of 169 single male and female participants and the personality traits they found most desirable in romantic partners. Using randomization tests of hypothesized order relations and Pearson correlations, results suggested that only the model of similarity accurately described the personalities participants tended to find romantically desirable. Study 2 examined the personality traits of 212 participants (106 couples) who had been romantically involved for at least 1 year. Results suggested that the model of similarity somewhat described the personalities participants tended to actually obtain as romantic partners, but neither Carsons nor Wigginss models reached significance. However, further analyses found that only Carsons model of complementarity predicted relationship quality; romantic couples who reported the highest levels of relationship quality were more similar in terms of warmth but were more dissimilar in terms of dominance than romantic couples who reported the lowest levels of relationship quality.

A Brief Assessment of the Interpersonal Circumplex The IPIP-IPC

Three studies are presented that demonstrate the psychometric properties and initial validation of the International Personality Item Pool—Interpersonal Circumplex (IPIP-IPC). The IPIP-IPC is a brief 32-item assessment of the interpersonal cirucmplex designed to be used when time is limited or when participants have difficulty understanding the adjective items used in more traditional assessments of the interpersonal circumplex. In Study 1, 501 participants were examined to develop the IPIP-IPC and demonstrate the circular structure of the IPIP-IPC scales and their relation to the five-factor model of personality. Study 2 included 274 participants to reconfirm the circular structure of the IPIP-IPC scales. Finally, in Study 3, 100 participants again reconfirm the circular structure of the IPIP-IPC scales and demonstrate the overlap of the IPIP-IPC with a commonly used assessment of the circumplex: the 64-item Interpersonal Adjective Scale. Overall, the results suggest that the IPIP-IPC provides a relatively short, quick, and valid assessment of the interpersonal circumplex while maintaining many of the psychometric properties of longer assessment tools.

Personality, puberty, and preadolescent girls’ risky behaviors: Examining the predictive value of the Five-Factor Model of personality☆

Few studies have considered the importance of personality characteristics in influencing young girls tendency to participate in health-compromising behaviors. The present study examined relations between 60 fifth grade girls (mean age ¼ 10:72 years) self-reports and maternal reports of the Five-Factor Model of personality (FFM), pubertal development, and girls participation in risky behaviors one year later (mean age ¼ 11:74 years). Results indicated that unconscientious and disagreeable girls were susceptible to participation in risky behaviors. These relations remained significant even after controlling for assessments of girls pubertal development. An interaction between girls openness to experience and pubertal development was found; girls who were open and who developed early were at risk for engaging in health-compromising behaviors. Findings are discussed in terms of their potential for helping health promotion efforts identify girls most at risk for adopting unhealthy behaviors.

Children’s Behavioral Manifestations of the Five-Factor Model of Personality

The present study examined relations between ratings of children’s personalities using the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality and behaviors exhibited by children during an interaction with their parents. Ninety-four children (M age = 10.87 years) and their parents participated in a videotaped interaction; children were coded on 64 different social behaviors using a revised version of the Riverside Behavioral Q-Sort. Mothers completed ratings of their children’s personalities using the NEO-Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results indicate an intuitive and predictable pattern of relations between children’s personalities and their behaviors. Findings suggest that four of the five factors included in the FFM provide an appropriate framework for describing children’s personalities. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for helping researchers understand children’s personalities.

Gender Differences in Interpersonal Complementarity Within Roommate Dyads

Complementarity theory proposes specific hypotheses regarding interpersonal styles that will result in successful relationships. The present study sought to extend previous research on gender differences in complementarity through the examination of same-sex peer dyads and the use of informant reports of interpersonal style. One hundred twenty participants (30 male and 30 female roommate dyads) completed interpersonal circumplex ratings of their roommates and a relationship cohesion measure. Examinations of complementarity indicate that women reported significantly more complementarity than men within their roommate dyads. However, for men and women, the closer the dyad was to perfect complementarity in terms of dominance, the more cohesive the relationship. Results are discussed in relation to gender differences in social development.

Scholars’ open debate paper on the World Health Organization ICD-11 Gaming Disorder proposal

Concerns about problematic gaming behaviors deserve our full attention. However, we claim that it is far from clear that these problems can or should be attributed to a new disorder. The empirical basis for a Gaming Disorder proposal, such as in the new ICD-11, suffers from fundamental issues. Our main concerns are the low quality of the research base, the fact that the current operationalization leans too heavily on substance use and gambling criteria, and the lack of consensus on symptomatology and assessment of problematic gaming. The act of formalizing this disorder, even as a proposal, has negative medical, scientific, public-health, societal, and human rights fallout that should be considered. Of particular concern are moral panics around the harm of video gaming. They might result in premature application of diagnosis in the medical community and the treatment of abundant false-positive cases, especially for children and adolescents. Second, research will be locked into a confirmatory approach, rather than an exploration of the boundaries of normal versus pathological. Third, the healthy majority of gamers will be affected negatively. We expect that the premature inclusion of Gaming Disorder as a diagnosis in ICD-11 will cause significant stigma to the millions of children who play video games as a part of a normal, healthy life. At this point, suggesting formal diagnoses and categories is premature: the ICD-11 proposal for Gaming Disorder should be removed to avoid a waste of public health resources as well as to avoid causing harm to healthy video gamers around the world.

Applying the interpersonal circumplex to children's behavior: parent-child interactions and risk behaviors

This article examined the applicability of the interpersonal circumplex (IC) to the observable social behaviors of children during parent-child interactions. In Study 1, the observational ratings of behaviors of 117 children (mean age = 9.88 years) were examined. Randomization tests of hypothesized order relations found that these behaviors tended to occur in the circular pattern predicted by the IC. To illustrate the applicability of the IC to children’s behavior, Study 2 (n = 94) used the circular structure of children’s behavior to longitudinally examine children’s participation in two risk behaviors, smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol. Results indicated that children who behaved in an arrogant-calculating manner were at risk for smoking cigarettes and children who behaved in an assured-dominate manner were at risk for drinking alcohol 1 year later. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of their relevance for helping researchers better understand and categorize children’s interpersonal behaviors.

Romantic Partners, Weight Status, and Weight Concerns An Examination Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

In this study, romantic partners’ weight status and weight concerns were examined using the Actor—Partner Interdependence Model. One hundred and four heterosexual couples’ (N = 208 participants) weight and height were assessed by researchers to compute body mass index and participants’ weight concerns were assessed. As expected, results indicated that participants’ weight concerns were associated with their weight status. Further, men and women who were relatively heavy and who had relatively thin romantic partners were most likely to express weight concerns. These findings extend our understanding of romantic partners’ relevance to individuals’ weight management and weight concerns.