How should multifaceted personality constructs be tested? Issues illustrated by self-monitoring, attributional style, and hardiness.
- 1 January 1989
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Vol. 56 (4) , 577-585
- https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.56.4.577
Abstract
Two or more dimensions unintentionally varied simultaneously are said to be confounded, but several theories in personality intentionally combine 3 or more distinct qualities. Researchers using these theories sum the qualities before testing predictions. How wise is this practice? The practice appears to derive from 2 distinct lines of reasoning. One of them assumes that the component dimensions converge on a single underlying quality (latent variable) that each reflects imperfectly. The other assumes a synergy among dimensions. Issues arising from each line of reasoning are illustrated by examining self-monitoring, attributional style, and hardiness. Conclusions are that (a) information is lost whenever a latent variable theory is tested solely by a composite and (b) a synergistic theory can be tested only through a statistical interaction.Keywords
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