The Role of Conceptual Organization in Interpersonal Discrimination

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Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the role of conceptual systems in interpersonal discrimination. Conceptual-systems theory postulates that personality organization is a function of developmental level and varies along a concrete-abstract dimension. Nodal points along this dimension have been identified for descriptive purposes as System I (most concrete), System II, System III, and System IV (most abstract). System I interpersonal discrimination is characterized by undiscriminated evaluations of self and others based on generalized standards. System II is characterized by an emergence of self-delineation based on individualized standards generated as alternatives to generalized standards. System III functioning reflects an increasing concern with delineating between others, according to differentiated self-relevant dimensions newly evolved in System II. System IV represents continuing concomitant growth in ability to delineate self and others on the basis of more abstract superordinate standards. Disposition toward a conceptual system was determined by a sentence-completion test. From a total sample of 340 college males, an experimental group of 68 Ss was selected on the basis of strong disposition toward System I, II, or III. No significant differences in intellectual achievement were found between system groups. Four measures of interpersonal discrimination and one measure of conceptual differentiation were obtained from the Interpersonal Discrimination Test. Several hypotheses regarding interpersonal discrimination, derived from conceptual-systems theory, were investigated. No evidence was found to support the prediction that abstract Ss (System III Group) would be more highly differentiated than concrete Ss (System I Group). The hypothesis that abstract Ss generally make finer interpersonal discriminations than concrete Ss is supported. The System III Group was expected to be superior to the System II Group in discriminating between others, and the results support this expectation. The System II Group was expected to exceed the System I Group in discriminating the self from others but, while the obtained difference is in the predicted direction, it is not statistically significant. The members of the System II Group, however, do perceive themselves as significantly more distinctive individuals than do the members of the System I Group. A post hoc analysis of high-differentiated and low-differentiated subgroups within each system group reveals that high-differentiated Ss score higher on self-other discrimination than do low-differentiated Ss. High-differentiated Ss score higher on overall discrimination, other-other discrimination, and self-distinctiveness; but these differences are not statistically significant.