The importance of the interpersonal circle in organizing the interpersonal domain is complemented by its empirical relations with broader personality taxonomies and with more specific personality variables. Yet circumplex structure in interpersonal measures has often been investigated using the "eyeball test" rather than using circumplex criteria of known effectiveness. Simulations (Acton, 1999) showed the effectiveness of 5 exploratory criteria (3 entirely new) that assess the properties of equal spacing, constant radius, and no preferred rotation. Along with Browne's (1992) criterion, these were applied to the Interpersonal

There are a number of strong geometric and substantive assumptions involved when assessment instruments are used to classify persons into typological categories denned by the coordinates of the Interpersonal Circle. These assumptions were derived from interpersonal theory and stated in the form of hypotheses that were tested with reference to the revised Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS-R) in three groups of university undergraduates. Study 1 found strong support for the geometric and psychometric assumptions underlying diagnostic classification. Study 2 supported hypotheses concerning the relation between interpersonal profile variance (vector length) and measures of psychopathology Study 3 found significant relations between vector length and interpersonal problems within all IAS-R diagnostic groups. We discuss the results in the context of their implications for psychodiagnostic research and for the experimental study of interpersonal processes.

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