Butler-Haigh Q-SORT

Abstract

The Butler-Haigh Q-SORT is a psychological instrument developed by Joseph M. Butler and Gerard V. Haigh in 1954. It was specifically designed to measure the degree of change in the relationship between an individual’s Self-Concept and their Ideal Concepts following exposure to Client-Centered Counseling. This scale utilizes the Q-Sort methodology, requiring participants to sort descriptive statements about themselves along a continuum, thereby providing a quantifiable measure of psychological adjustment and therapeutic effectiveness, particularly within the framework of Rogerian theory.

Keywords

Q-Sort, Self-Concept, Ideal Concept, Congruence, Client-Centered Counseling, Rogerian Therapy, Psychological Adjustment, Personality Change, Therapeutic Outcome

Authors

Butler, J.M., Haigh, G.V.

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the Butler-Haigh Q-SORT is to provide an empirical method for assessing the effectiveness of Client-Centered Counseling, as conceptualized by Carl Rogers. It aims to quantify the subjective experience of the client by measuring the discrepancy, or congruence, between the “self-as-perceived” (Self-Concept) and the “self-as-desired” (Ideal Concept). A reduction in this discrepancy over the course of therapy is interpreted as evidence of positive psychological adjustment and successful therapeutic intervention.

The scale was instrumental in early research into humanistic psychology, allowing researchers to transform complex, qualitative therapeutic processes into standardized, measurable data points. By using fixed distribution criteria inherent in the Q-Sort technique, the instrument allows for rigorous statistical comparison of self-perception across different time points, such as before and after counseling.

Construct

The central construct measured by the Butler-Haigh Q-SORT is Self-Concept Congruence, or psychological adjustment. Rooted deeply in Carl Rogers’ theory of personality, congruence refers to the degree of alignment between the individual’s current self-perception and their desired self-perception. In healthy, well-adjusted individuals, this correlation is expected to be high. Conversely, a large negative correlation or a weak positive correlation suggests psychological distress and incongruence.

The items themselves are designed to capture a broad spectrum of personality traits, emotional states, and interpersonal attitudes. They are dichotomized into “Negative” items (reflecting maladjustment, low self-worth, or defensiveness) and “Positive” items (reflecting high self-esteem, maturity, and relational warmth), allowing for a nuanced measurement of the direction and intensity of self-evaluation.

Validity

The validity of the Butler-Haigh Q-SORT is primarily established through its theoretical congruence with the principles of Rogerian therapy. The scale demonstrates construct validity by showing that changes in self-ideal congruence correlate significantly with observed positive outcomes in Client-Centered Counseling, as detailed in the original 1954 study by Butler and Haigh.

Early studies focused heavily on demonstrating that therapeutic intervention leads to an increased correlation coefficient between the Self-Sort and the Ideal-Sort, supporting the hypothesis that successful therapy involves the integration and acceptance of the actual self relative to the desired self. Further research, such as that summarized by Wylie (1961) and Robinson and Shaver (1969), utilized the scale in various populations, supporting its utility in measuring aspects of the Self-Concept.

Reliability

As a Q-Sort instrument, reliability is typically assessed through measures of consistency, such as test-retest reliability and internal consistency. While specific reliability coefficients vary across studies using the instrument, the methodology itself—the sorting of items into a fixed, quasi-normal distribution—inherently imposes a degree of standardization that contributes to reliable administration.

Researchers often report the reliability of the Q-Sort methodology as generally high, provided that the sorting instructions are clear and the subject population understands the task. The original studies focused on demonstrating that baseline Q-Sorts (Self-Sorts and Ideal-Sorts) remained stable prior to therapeutic intervention, suggesting adequate measurement stability for tracking Personality Change.

Factor Analysis

While the Butler-Haigh Q-SORT was originally designed to measure the singular, holistic construct of Self-Ideal Congruence, later applications and modifications of the Q-Sort deck often employed factor analysis to determine underlying dimensions within the self-description statements.

Studies using factor analytic techniques on similar Q-Sort decks typically reveal dimensions related to personal adjustment, social competence, emotional stability, and self-acceptance. However, the primary use of the Butler-Haigh instrument remains the calculation of the correlation (R-type analysis) between the two different sorts (Self vs. Ideal) rather than focusing on identifying latent factors within the item set (Q-type analysis).

Instrument

Test Type: Q-Sort Methodology (Self-Report/Projective Technique)

Format: Fixed distribution sorting task, typically requiring the participant to place descriptive statements into 8 or 9 piles ranging from “Most Unlike Me” to “Most Like Me.”

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations

Age Group: Typically Adolescents and Adults capable of self-reflection

Population Details: Originally used with clients undergoing psychotherapy, but adaptable for broader measurement of psychological adjustment and Self-Concept research.

Test Methodology: The subject sorts a fixed number of items (in this case, personality descriptive statements) into a predetermined number of categories (e.g., 9 piles), usually forcing a quasi-normal distribution (e.g., 1-4-11-21-26-21-11-4-1). Scores are generated by correlating the subject’s ‘Self-Sort’ with their ‘Ideal-Sort’ to derive a congruence coefficient. Scoring for individual items is based on the category placement, with Negative items contributing to the score if placed in the “unlike me” range (0-3) and Positive items contributing if placed in the “like me” range (5-8).

Keywords

Psychological Measurement, Client-Centered Therapy Outcome, Personality Assessment, Congruence Coefficient, Self-Esteem, Adjustment Scale

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Historically Unavailable)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A

Correspondence Address: N/A

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Butler-Haigh Q-SORT was developed and published in 1954. Given its age and widespread use in academic research following its inclusion in major compendiums of social psychological measures, the scale is generally considered to be in the public domain for research purposes, though researchers should always cite the original sources. The scale and related measures are documented in comprehensive psychological resource texts. The original PDF containing this instrument can be downloaded here: https://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/dis/infoserv/isrpub/pdf/Measuresofsocialpsychologicalattitudes_2928_.PDF

Reference’s

• Butler, J.M. and Haigh, G.V., (1954). Changes in the relation between self-concepts and Ideal concepts consequent upon client-centered counseling. In C. Rogers and Rosalind Dymond (eds.), Psychotherapy and personality change. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 55-75.

• Rogers, C.R. and Dymond, Rosalind F. (eds.), (1954). Psychotherapy and personality change. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

• Wylie, R., (1961). The self concept. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

• Robinson, John P., Shaver, Phillip R. (1969). Measures of Political Attitudes. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan/. Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Items of the Butler-Haigh Q-SORT

Negative: Contribute to score if fall on “unlike me” side (0-3)

• I put on a false front.
• I often feel humiliated.
• I doubt my sexual powers.
• I have a feeling of hopelessness.
• I have few values and standards of my own.
• It is difficult to control my aggression.
• I want to give up trying to cope with the world.
• I tend to be on my guard with people who are somewhat more friendly than I had expected.
• I usually feel driven.
• I feel helpless.
• My decisions are not my own.
• I am a hostile person.
• I am disorganized.
• I feel apathetic.
• I don’t trust my emotions.
• It’s pretty tough to be me.
• I have the feeling that I am just not facing things.
• I try not to think about my problems.
• I am shy.
• I am no one. Nothing seems to be me.
• I despise myself.
• I shrink from facing a crisis or difficulty.
• I just don’t respect myself.
• I am afraid of a full-fledged disagreement with a person.
• I can’t seem to make up my mind one way or the other.
• I am confused.
• I am a failure.
• I am afraid of sex.
• I have a horror of failing in anything I want to accomplish.
• I really am disturbed.
• All you have to do is just insist with me, and I give in.
• I feel insecure within myself.
• I have to protect myself with excuses, with rationalizing.
• I feel hopeless.
• I am unreliable.
• I am worthless.
• I dislike my own sexuality.

Positive: Contribute to score if fall on “like me” side (5-8)

• I make strong demands on myself.
• I often kick myself for the things I do.
• I have a warm emotional relationship with others.
• I am responsible for my troubles.
• I am a responsible person.
• I can accept most social values and standards.
• Self-control is no problem with me.
• I usually like people.
• I can usually live comfortably with the people around me.
• My hardest battles are with myself.
• I am optimistic.
• I am liked by most people who know me.
• I am sexually attractive.
• I can usually make up my mind and stick to it.
• I am contented.
• I am poised.
• I am impulsive
• I am a rational person.
• I am tolerant.
• I have an attractive personality.
• I am ambitious.
• I have initiative.
• I take a positive attitude toward myself.
• I am assertive.
• I am satisfied with myself.
• I am like able.
• My personality is attractive to the opposite sex.
• I am relaxed and nothing really bothers me.
• I am a hard worker.
• I feel emotionally mature.
• I am intelligent.
• I am self-reliant.
• I am different from others.
• I understand myself.
• I am a good mixer.
• I feel adequate.