An interpersonal method for scoring the TAT: Implications for distinguishing individuals with psychopathic symptomatology using Leary's circumplex model

This study provided a direct test of the interpersonal system and three of Leary's (1957) levels of rating interpersonal behavior. Level I--public communication refers to the interpersonal impact a person has on others. This level was assessed using Kosson, Kirkhart, and Steuerwald's (1993) Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy. Level II--conscious communication refers to a person's view of himself, usually via verbal report. Wiggins' (1993) Interpersonal Adjective Scales-Revised (IAS-R) was used to measure self-report information. Level III--preconscious symbolization refers to the traits a person may project onto others in an imagined situation. Murray's (1943) Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) was the primary measure for this level. Rather than utilize raters to score TAT protocols, an alternate technique of requiring participants to rate story characters using the IAS-R was incorporated. Participants were 134 male undergraduates who were assigned to one of three groups (nonpsychopathic, psychopathic, and low-socialized) on the basis of Gough's (1969) Socialization scale and Hare's (1991) Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) Factor 1 ratings. During the PCL-R interviews, participants' behavior were rated using the IM-P. Following group selection, participants were then asked to view TAT protocols and make IAS-R ratings of their main story characters. Participants also completed IAS-R self-ratings. Findings not only demonstrated the utility of the TAT in describing individuals along the interpersonal circumplex, but also indicated differences between psychopathic and nonpsychopathic individuals at each of the three levels of interpersonal functioning. Compared to nonpsychopaths, psychopathic individuals were observed with higher ratings of psychopathic behavior (level I); described themselves as more arrogant-calculating, and cold-hearted (level II); and projected more arrogant-calculating interactions on their story characters (level III). The indication of these descriptions (represented in octants BC & DE of the IAS-R), as characteristic of psychopathic individuals, is consistent with prior research and theories of psychopathy. It should be noted that contrary to previous research, all three of Leary's interpersonal levels correlated significantly with each other. It is suggested that the alternate method of using the IAS-R to score TAT protocols is an effective and valid technique.