Circumplex measures of interpersonal constructs

The interpersonal circle or interpersonal circumplex has in recent decades become the most popular model for conceptualizing, organizing, and assessing interpersonal dispositions (Wiggins, 2003). The interpersonal circumplex is defined graphically by two orthogonal axes: a vertical axis (of status, dominance, power, control, or, most broadly, agency) and a horizontal axis (of solidarity, friendliness, warmth, love, or, most broadly, communion). Thus, each point within the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) can be specified as a weighted mixture of agency and communion. Simple interpersonal characteristics (such as ―introverted ‖ or ―forceful‖) may be located graphically as a distinct combination of the two broad underlying factors; in other words, there is a particular location within the IPC space for each interpersonal disposition. IPC inventories are inventories designed to measure interpersonal dispositions from every segment of the IPC. IPC inventories comprise a family of related instruments: All members of the family are based on the same theoretical model, but each member focuses on a different type of construct (e.g., traits, motives, problems). In this chapter, I first will summarize the IPC model that unites the diverse IPC inventories. Second, I will describe the IPC inventories that are currently in use and provide examples of how each one is being used to advanc