Characteristic Response Modes to Interpersonal Situations

The study sought to identify (a) the main interpersonal situation-dimen- sions that evoke interpersonal responses, and (b) the main manifest reaction modes. An inventory consisting of 4 blocks of stimuli and 4 blocks of responses was developed. Responses were obtained to each set of stimuli from 258 women and 253 men. The correlations among stimuli and among responses to the stimuli were factored separately by block for each sex. Three factors were isolated within each simulus sector of control, hostility, support, and help-seeking. Three o r four factors were isolated within each response block. Since the findings were consistent across sex, they provide a useful scheme for conceptualizing interpersonal behavior.