Sociotropy and Autonomy: Preliminary Evidence for Construct Validity Using TAT Narratives

Abstract

In this investigation, we evaluated the construct validity of sociotropy and autonomy as assessed by the revised Personal Style Inventory (PSI; Robins et al., 1994). Stories given to 6 cards of the Thematic Apperception Test (Murray, 1943) were coded for need for Achievement (McClelland, Atkinson, Clark, & Lowell, 1953) and need for Affiliation (Heyns, Veroff, & Atkinson, 1958). These scores were correlated with PSI Sociotropy and Autonomy, along with their component subscales. The construct validity of Sociotropy, Autonomy, and 5 of 6 component subscales were supported as hypoth sized. Consistent with past research, there was no support for the construct validity of the Perfectionism/Self-Criticism subscale of Autonomy. In addition, separate analyses by gender suggested that the construct validity of sociotropy may be greater for women than for men. The results represent an important finding in that nonquestionnaire measures of interpersonal and achievement-related concerns were found to support the validity of the PSI, a need identified by the questionnaire's authors.

Moderating effects of sociotropy and autonomy on affective and self-esteem reactivity to daily stressors

“…Therefore, we also examined reactivity to negative events using a revised autonomy scale without the perfectionism subscale as suggested by recent research (e.g., Bagby et al, 1998;Kwon et al, 2001). With gender, neuroticism, and sociotropy controlled, revised autonomy had a significant moderating effect on self-esteem reactivity to interpersonal stressors, c 14 = .019, p = .009, and self-esteem reactivity to total number of stressors, c 14 = .015, p = .004.…”

“…Previous research has raised doubts about the validity of the perfectionism subscale of the PSI Autonomy scale (e.g., Kwon, Cambell, & Williams, 2001). Therefore, we also examined reactivity to negative events using a revised autonomy scale without the perfectionism subscale as suggested by recent research (e.g., Bagby et al, 1998;Kwon et al, 2001).…”

A Hierarchical Multiple-Level Approach to the Assessment of Interpersonal Relatedness and Self-Definition: Implications for Research, Clinical Practice, andDSMPlanning

“…Researchers working within this approach have developed SDT-based instruments such as the General Causality Orientation Scale (Deci & Ryan, 1985) and the Need Satisfaction Scale (Sheldon, Elliot, Kim, & Kasser, 2001), as well as instruments rooted in goal theories, which include narrative (Emmons, 1989;Little, 1983;McAdams, 1985;Shahar et al, 2006) and performance-based or unstructured (Kwon, Campbell, & Williams, 2001) assessment methods.…”

The Stories Students Tell: TAT Stories of Bereaved and Non-Bereaved College Students in a Christian Evangelical University

“…When using a standardized scoring system, with theoretical framework and specific instructions, TAT stories have generated reliability coefficients of .8 and higher. Furthermore, researchers have successfully used the TAT with college students to measure motives (Blumenthal, Lane, & Williams, 1985;Schultheiss & Brunstein, 2001;Singh, 1986), personality (Evans & Singer, 1994;Kwon, Campbell, & Williams, 2001;), and coping behavior (Coelho, 1969;Coelho, Silber, & Hamburg, 1962;Phares, 1961). More recently, Polselli (2009) used the TAT to examine college students' coping with stress by measuring the effect of receiving critical feedback on use of defense mechanisms.…”