Research Seminar

Is there a connection between individual differences in trajectories in a core affect and an interpersonal behavior space?


Tinneke Timmermans


KU Leuven

Abstract: At each moment in time a person can be positioned in two two-dimensional grids, namely a core affect grid and an interpersonal grid. The first grid is used to represent the feeling state of an individual and includes a hedonic dimension, namely pleasure-displeasure, and an arousal dimension, namely sleepy-activated (Russell, 2003). The second grid is used to represent the individual's position, in terms of the two orthogonal dimensions of agency and communion (Kiesler, 1983; Wiggins, 1979, 1991); People are constantly moving in these two two-dimensional spaces. In two previous studies, striking similar relations between individual differences in trajectory characteristics in each of these grids and several dispositional measurements were obtained (Moskowitz, D.S. & Zuroff, 2004; Kuppens, Van Mechelen, Nezlek, Dossche, & Timmermans, 2007). This finding suggests a connection between individual differences in core affect trajectories and individual differences in trajectories in interpersonal space. In the present study we will address the relation between characteristics of trajectories in the two respective spaces directly via an experience sampling study. In this study participants are asked to monitor their core affect during one week and their interpersonal behavior during another one. Relations between derived trajectory characteristics as well as between these characteristics and several dispositional measures will be reported. In addition, findings about the relation between interpersonal behavior and two situational characteristics (i.e., individual’s perception of the other as dominant versus submissive, and agreeable versus quarrelsome) and the moderating role of individual differences will be discussed.

Date: Tue Nov 6, 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Place: room 00.60 (Department of Psychology, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven)