A three-step procedure for analysis of circumplex models: An example of narcissism located within the circumplex of personality metatraits

Circumplex models are widely utilized in the field of personality and individual differences research. Although within the literature one could find many suggestions on how to analyze such models, none of them are comprehensive enough. Within the current paper we propose a three-step procedure, which will systematize and standardize the analysis of circumplex models and the localization of external variables within such circumplex models. First, we propose to verify the underlying circumplex structure through structural equation modeling. Second, we propose to test the possibility to locate external variables in the space of the empirical circumplex model through the investigation of their structural summary profiles. Finally, we propose to test the congruence between empirical locations and theoretical predictions within the circumplex structure through the Procrustes rotation. The three-step procedure is described using the example of narcissism embedded within the Circumplex of Personality Metatraits model. This paper is supplemented by pedagogical tutorials assisting other researchers in applying the three-step procedure to their own data