Implicit Theories Of Personality: An Individual Differences Approach

Abstract

Twenty ratees were described on 20 bipolar personality trait adjectives by 51 raters in an own-control design in which both complete strangers and close friends were judged. The trait factor structures were extremely similar for both friend descriptions and stranger descriptions. Although the ratees were not distinguished in terms of acquaintanceship (friends vs, strangers), they were differentiated along physiognomic and personality dimensions reminiscent of Sheldon's typology. Individual differences among the raters were largely due to different fraternity membership and associated personality characteristics. A three mode factor analysis indicated an interaction among rater, ratee and trait dimensions.