Moving Toward, Moving Against, and Moving Away

An Interpersonal Approach to Construct Validation of the Horney–Coolidge Type Inventory

Bibliographic Data

ID21351998
AuthorsSteven E Carlson (University of Utah, corresponding author), Timothy W Smith (0000-0002-4017-3243, University of Utah), Kimberly A Parkhurst (University of Utah), Ruben Tinajero (0000-0001-5671-3235, University of Utah), Jeremy L Grove (0000-0003-3178-8307, University of Utah), Christian Goans (0000-0002-1085-2317, Department Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center), Michiyo Hirai (0000-0002-5977-5762, Department of Psychological Science, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley), John M Ruiz (University of Arizona), John Ruiz (0000-0002-3398-7054, University of Arizona)
Year2022
Volume104
Issue5
Pages650-659
Publication date2022-09-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality Assessment (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3891 • E-ISSN: 1532-7752
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00223891.2021.1991358
PMID34748442
OpenAlexW3213924609
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited54

Karen Horney’s interpersonal theory of adjustment defined three different neurotic trends involving characteristic social behavior and motives: compliant (moving toward people), aggressive (moving against people), and detached (moving away from people). The Horney–Coolidge Type Inventory (HCTI) was developed to assess these trends, but has not been validated using standard methods in the interpersonal perspective. The studies reported here refined the structure of the HCTI, and utilized the structural summary method (SSM) to identify relationships of the three shortened HCTI trend scales with the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) in single university (n = 514) and multisite university (n = 3,283) samples. Results across both studies confirmed predicted interpersonal characteristics of each trend: Compliance was associated with warm submissiveness, aggression was associated with hostile dominance, and detachment was associated with hostile or cold submissiveness. However, analyses of facets within the three HCTI trend domains revealed significant differences. Results are discussed as a potential guide to further refinement of assessments of the Horney maladaptive trends, and support inclusion of Horney’s model in current interpersonal theory

Construct (python library) · Construct validity · Interpersonal communication · Psychometrics · Test validity · Validation test · Clinical Psychology · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Psychological Testing and Assessment · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology