Structure of a social environment: Longitudinal individual differences scaling of an intact group.

Abstract

Conducted a 1-yr, longitudinal field experiment to test hypotheses concerning (a) the dimensions of interpersonal perception, (b) changes in perceived social structure, and (c) the relationship of interpersonal perception to interpersonal behavior for members of an intact group. A total of 31 judges and stimulus persons were drawn from the graduate students, faculty, and staff of a laboratory. Individual-differences multidimensional scaling was used to determine the dimensions of interpersonal perception. Results indicate that members of the laboratory were judged to vary on 3 dimensions identified as status, professional interests, and political persuasion. Faculty and graduate-student judges differed in the way they used these dimensions: faculty relied most heavily on status, and students relied on political persuasion and professional interests. The salience of the dimensions changed systematically each year, the direction and magnitude of change being related to role and status differences among the members of the laboratory. Several predicted relationships between perceived social structure and interpersonal behaviors were confirmed. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)