A reassessment of interactionism and a contextual-behavioural reinterpretation of Kiesler's interpersonal theory of personality

Abstract

The realization has recently been reached that personality psychology is in a state of crisis, this being even more true of the cross-cultural assessment of personality. In this dissertation traditional methods of assessing personality are critically examined 871d the appropriateness of the use of various assessment methods in South Africa is considered. Interactionism is put forward as' an alternative approach and its usefulness in assessment is evaluated. One method of operationalizing interacticnism is Kiesler's Interpersonal Circle. In the light of the limitations of existing assessment methods, it is :1ut forward that a contextual-behavioural representation of Kiesler's theory would solve many problems. An instrument was developed to allow the feasibility of this approach to be tested. In this instrument the testee interacts with a number of fictitious people with different characteristics. A study was conducted in which the 680 items were rated by 24 experts to establish if it is possible to obtain an acceptable level of agreement on the quadrant of the circle represented by the items. Overall, 16,7% of the items had to be revised. In the second study all items met the criteria set. The conclusion reached is that a contextual.. behavioural representation of Kiesler's theory is feasible. The implications for assessment are considered.