Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Efficacy

Abstract

The Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Efficacy (CSIE) is a specialized 32-item self-report inventory developed by Locke and Sadler (2007) to measure an individual’s confidence, or self-efficacy, in engaging across a variety of interpersonal behaviors. Designed to complement existing measures based on the interpersonal circumplex, the CSIE efficiently assesses behavioral confidence across the two primary dimensions of the model: agency (dominance) and communion (affiliation). The scale is composed of eight distinct 4-item scales, each corresponding to an octant of the circumplex space, and has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including a clear circumplex structure, adequate internal reliability, and robust convergent validity with measures of interpersonal values and problems.

Keywords

Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Efficacy, CSIE, self-efficacy, interpersonal circumplex, agency, communion, agentic, communal, social cognition, psychological assessment.

Authors

Kenneth D. Locke, Patrick Sadler

Purpose

The primary purpose of the CSIE is to provide a highly efficient, self-report measurement tool for assessing confidence regarding specific interpersonal behaviors. This measure fills a crucial gap in the literature by focusing on efficacy beliefs within the structured domain of the interpersonal circumplex, rather than general personality traits or behavioral frequency. This allows researchers and clinicians to precisely gauge the perceived ability to enact different social roles and behaviors.

Specifically, the CSIE quantifies the level of confidence an individual possesses in performing both agentic (dominant, assertive) and communal (affiliative, cooperative) interpersonal actions associated with each of the eight sectors, or octants, of the interpersonal circumplex model.

Construct

The CSIE operationalizes the construct of Interpersonal Efficacy (a form of self-efficacy specific to social contexts) within the framework of the two-dimensional Interpersonal Circumplex. The model is defined by two orthogonal axes: Agency (or Dominance) and Communion (or Affiliation). Interpersonal efficacy, in this context, refers to an individual’s belief in their capacity to successfully execute the specific interpersonal behaviors necessary to navigate social situations effectively.

The scale is structured to measure efficacy beliefs corresponding to the eight octants, such as PA (Agentic), DE (Uncommunal), HI (Unagentic), and LM (Communal). By mapping efficacy beliefs onto this circular structure, the CSIE provides a comprehensive and nuanced profile of an individual’s social-cognitive strengths and weaknesses, integrating interpersonal theory with social-cognitive theory.

Validity

The foundational research by Locke and Sadler (2007) established strong evidence for the measure’s structural and external validity. The most critical finding regarding validity is the confirmation of a robust circumplex structure. The intercorrelations among the eight octant scales fit the expected circular model, confirming that the scale accurately captures the continuous nature of interpersonal space.

Furthermore, the CSIE demonstrated adequate convergent validity. Scores derived from the efficacy scales correlated predictably with established measures of interpersonal values and self-reported interpersonal problems. For instance, high confidence in communal behaviors correlated positively with communal values, suggesting that the CSIE measures a construct that is both theoretically sound and empirically linked to real-world interpersonal functioning.

Reliability

The CSIE exhibits adequate internal reliability across its eight 4-item subscales. While the source content summarizes the psychometrics rather than listing specific coefficients, the authors confirm that the internal consistency for the derived octant scores is sufficient for generating reliable measures of efficacy beliefs across the circumplex space. Reliability ensures that the four items comprising each octant reliably measure the corresponding efficacy dimension.

Factor Analysis

The validation of the CSIE relies on confirming its circumplex structure, which is a specialized form of structural analysis. This involves testing the goodness-of-fit of the eight octant scores to the two underlying bipolar dimensions (Agentic and Communal vectors). The methodology uses structural summary parameters, such as the R-squared value (R2), to confirm how well the observed pattern of scores fits the idealized circular model. The initial studies confirmed that the CSIE scores conform well to the expected circumplex configuration, supporting its underlying factor structure.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report inventory

Format: 32 items, utilizing an 11-point rating scale ranging from 0 to 10.

Language Available: English (Primary development language)

Population Group: Adults, specifically utilized for assessing interpersonal functioning and social cognition.

Age Group: Typically utilized with college-aged adults and older.

Population Details: The initial validation study included a sample of 367 undergraduates.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate their confidence in performing specific interpersonal behaviors on the 0-10 scale. Scoring involves calculating raw octant scores, followed by computing the overall bipolar vectors (Agentic and Communal dimensions) and deriving structural summary parameters (Elevation, Amplitude/Vector Length, and Angular Displacement) using specialized scoring syntax like the provided SPSS program.

Keywords

Interpersonal assessment, psychological scale, self-efficacy, social competence, personality, two-factor model, agency, communion, octant scales, psychometrics, internal reliability.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A

Correspondence Address: N/A

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Efficacy (CSIE) was first published in 2007 by Locke and Sadler. While the scale is often used freely for academic research purposes, specific information regarding licensing fees, formal copyright permissions, or availability through commercial publishers is not included in the source material. Researchers seeking to utilize the CSIE should contact the primary author, Kenneth D. Locke, for current guidelines on usage and official permissions.

Reference’s

• Locke, K.D. & Sadler, P. (2007). Self-efficacy, values, and complementarity in dyadic interactions: Integrating interpersonal and social-cognitive theory. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 94-109.
• Locke, K.D. (2011). Circumplex measures of interpersonal constructs. In L. M. Horowitz & S. Strack (Eds.), Handbook of Interpersonal Psychology (pp. 313-324). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Items of the Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Efficacy

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

For each of the following behaviors, rate how sure you are that you can act that way with other people. Use the following rating scale:

0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
I am not at all confident that…		I am mildly confident that…		I am moderately confident that…			I am very confident that…		I am absolutely confident that…

Sample Item:

When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can express myself clearly

If you are absolutely confident that you can express yourself clearly, you would circle 10. If you feel not at all confident, you would circle 0. If you feel moderately confident that you can express yourself clearly, you would circle 5, and so on.

1. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can express myself openly
2. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be tough
3. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can follow the rules
4. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be assertive
5. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can hide my thoughts and feelings
6. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can fit in
7. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can keep the upper hand
8. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can avoid getting into arguments
9. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can smooth over any difficulties
10. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be cold and unfriendly when I want to
11. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can get along with them
12. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can speak up when I have something to say
13. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be submissive
14. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can understand their feelings
15. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can win any arguments or competitions
16. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be a follower
17. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can get them to listen to what I have to say
18. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can get them to leave me alone
19. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be nice
20. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can take charge
21. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can disappear into the background when I want
22. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can soothe hurt feelings
23. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be aggressive if I need to
24. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can avoid making them angry
25. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be a leader
26. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be cruel when the situation calls for it
27. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be giving
28. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be forceful
29. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be quiet
30. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can be helpful
31. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can tell them when I am annoyed
32. When I am with others, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …I can let others take charge