Polarity Questionnaire

Abstract

The Polarity Questionnaire (PQ) is a concise self-report instrument designed to measure an individual’s behavioral and cognitive preferences hypothesized to reflect underlying patterns of hemispheric asymmetry, commonly referred to as hemisphericity. Developed by Bruce E. Morton, this scale employs a simple True or False response format across 11 items addressing diverse personal tendencies, ranging from emotional processing and interpersonal needs to problem-solving approaches and daily habits. The questionnaire is used in research to correlate self-perceived cognitive style with objective, physiological measures of brain lateralization, such as performance on dichotic listening tasks and motor performance measures.

Keywords

Polarity Questionnaire, Hemisphericity, Brain Asymmetry, Cognitive Style, Dichotic Listening, Self-Report, B. E. Morton, Lateralization, Personality.

Authors

Bruce E. Morton

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Polarity Questionnaire is to provide a quick, accessible measure of an individual’s self-reported tendencies that align with established theories of hemispheric specialization. By distinguishing between individuals whose behavioral and affective patterns lean toward typical “left-brain” or “right-brain” characteristics, the scale facilitates research into the behavioral correlates of brain function.

The instrument is specifically used to investigate whether self-report measures of cognitive style correlate significantly with objective, non-intrusive measures of brain asymmetry, thereby offering a potentially simpler method for identifying large individual differences in lateralized processing.

Construct

The Polarity Questionnaire measures the construct of Hemisphericity, which refers to the relative dominance or preference for cognitive styles typically associated with the right or left cerebral hemispheres. While contemporary neuroscience views brain function as highly integrated, the construct of hemisphericity posits that individuals exhibit consistent differences in their preferred modes of processing information (e.g., analytic, sequential, verbal vs. holistic, spatial, non-verbal).

The items on the scale reflect these hypothesized poles. For example, questions regarding introspection and psychological orientation may tap into one polarity, while statements about adherence to established solutions or preference for strict rules may tap into the opposite polarity. Respondents are reminded that they have access to both sides of the brain, emphasizing that the questionnaire measures preference rather than absolute capability.

Validity

The validity of the Polarity Questionnaire is supported primarily through concurrent validity, demonstrated by its strong correlation with established physiological and behavioral measures of brain asymmetry. Research conducted by Morton (2002, 2003) showed that outcomes from the questionnaire correlated significantly with results from several laboratory tasks:

• Dichotic Listening Tasks: Scores correlated with unilateral dichotic deafness and differences in minor ear output, which are widely accepted indicators of auditory processing lateralization.
• Motor and Spatial Tasks: Outcomes correlated with performance on phased mirror tracing tasks and two-hand, line-bisection tasks, both of which are classical measures used to assess motor and spatial processing asymmetries related to hemispheric function.

This convergent evidence suggests the questionnaire possesses construct validity in measuring the behavioral correlates of hemispheric preferences, although specific psychometric studies detailing factor structure (beyond correlation with external criteria) are necessary for full validation.

Reliability

Specific data regarding the internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) or test-retest reliability of the Polarity Questionnaire are not explicitly provided in the core source materials. However, its consistent use in multiple studies by the author, where its scores reliably predict outcomes on objective behavioral tests, suggests a degree of stability in its measurement properties. For robust academic application, formal reporting of reliability coefficients would be essential.

Factor Analysis

While the scale is inherently designed to measure a single, bipolar construct (Hemisphericity), formal details of a factor analysis (such as Principal Components Analysis or Confirmatory Factor Analysis) detailing item loadings and explaining variance are not typically published alongside the instrument itself. It is assumed that the 11 items load onto a primary factor representing the spectrum of cognitive polarity, but researchers should seek specific psychometric publications for empirical confirmation of its dimensionality.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire measuring cognitive preference and behavioral style.

Format: True or False (T or F) response format across 11 statements.

Language Available: English (based on available source materials).

Population Group: General population (Adults).

Age Group: Adults (Implied by nature of questions concerning relationships, children, and complex self-reflection).

Population Details: Used primarily in academic and psychological research settings focusing on laterality and individual differences.

Test Methodology: Respondents mark statements based on how well the statement fits them personally, with the understanding that there are no “incorrect” answers.

Keywords

Psychological assessment, Brain function, Laterality, Preference, Self-Assessment, Cognitive processing, Hemisphericity measures, Dichotic listening outcomes.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source materials.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source materials.

Correspondence Address: Bruce E. Morton, University of Hawaii (Implied affiliation based on online instrument hosting).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: The instrument was made available online for research and personal use by the author. Researchers should contact Dr. Morton for formal usage permissions.

Fee: Not specified, likely free for academic research use.

Test Year: Circa 2001–2003 (Based on publication dates of validation studies).

Reference’s

The Polarity Questionnaire is referenced and validated in the following academic publications:

• Morton, B. E. (2001). Large individual differences in minor ear output during dichotic listening. Brain and Cognition, 45, 229–237.
• Morton, Bruce.E. (2002). Outcomes of Hemisphericity Questionnaires Correlate with Unilateral Dichotic Deafness. Brain and Cognition 49, 63–72.
• Morton, B. E. (2003). Phased mirror tracing outcomes correlate with several hemisphericity measures. Brain and Cognition, 51.
• Morton, B. E. (2003). Two-hand, line-bisection task outcomes correlate with several measures of hemisphericity. Brain and Cognition, 51.
• Morton, Bruce.E. (2003). Asymmetry questionnaire outcomes correlate with several hemisphericity measures. Brain and Cognition 51 (2003) 372–374.

The instrument can be found online at: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~bemorton/Hemisphericity/PolarityQ.html

Items of the Polarity Questionnaire

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Recognizing that everyone has access to both sides of his or her brain and that there are no incorrect answers here, mark the following statements True or False (T or F), depending on how well you feel the statement fits you personally.

1. When I become upset, after cooling down I don’t need to talk, I need to be alone.
2. I tend to be introspective, self-conscious, thin-skinned, and psychological.
3. I would rather maintain and use good old solutions than find new better ones.
4. I talk about thoughts, things, or acquaintances more than entertainment, sports, or politics.
5. I am comfortable and productive in the presence of disorder and disorganization.
6. I find it very difficult to tolerate when my mate (or ‘‘important other’’) becomes defiant to me in private.
7. I don’t need a lot of physical contact from my mate.
8. I like daily small reassurances of my mate’s love more than monthly large rewards.
9. I tend not to be very romantic or sentimental.
10. I am more strict than lenient with our children (or I would be if I had children).
11. Given the opportunity, I am more of an early morning person than a late night person.

True or False