Interpersonal Checklist (ICL)

Abstract

The Interpersonal Check List (ICL) is a foundational instrument in psychological assessment designed to measure an individual’s self-perception and their perception of others regarding key interpersonal traits. Developed by LaForge, Suczek, and Leary, the ICL is structured around the two primary dimensions of the Interpersonal Circumplex model: Agency (Dominance/Control) and Communion (Affiliation/Love). Consisting of 128 descriptive adjectives and phrases, the scale provides scores across eight octants, allowing for a detailed mapping of interpersonal style and personality structure. The ICL remains one of the most widely recognized measures derived from the circumplex theory.

Keywords

Interpersonal Check List, ICL, Interpersonal Circumplex, Leary’s Circumplex, Agency, Communion, Dominance, Affiliation, Personality assessment, Self-report.

Authors

Robert LaForge, Richard Suczek, Timothy Leary.

[quads id=5]

Purpose

The primary purpose of the ICL is the systematic diagnosis of interpersonal behavior patterns. It facilitates the description of an individual’s typical mode of relating to others, whether the assessment is carried out through self-report, peer-rating, or observer-rating formats. The instrument is crucial for mapping these behavioral patterns onto the circular structure defined by the Interpersonal Circumplex.

Furthermore, the scale is used extensively in clinical settings and research to identify potential interpersonal conflicts, assess the impact of therapy, and understand discrepancies between how individuals view themselves versus how they are perceived by others. By providing a standardized framework for conceptualizing interpersonal dynamics, the ICL aids in both theoretical understanding and practical clinical intervention.

Construct

The ICL measures personality based on the seminal two-dimensional structure of the Interpersonal Circumplex (IPC). This model posits that all interpersonal behaviors can be organized around two orthogonal axes:

• Agency (Vertical Axis): Also known as Dominance or Control. This dimension ranges from dominant, assertive, and managerial behavior (upward pole) to submissive, passive, and dependent behavior (downward pole).
• Communion (Horizontal Axis): Also known as Affiliation or Love. This dimension ranges from warm, friendly, and cooperative behavior (rightward pole) to cold, hostile, and competitive behavior (leftward pole).

The intersection of these two dimensions creates the circular structure, which is divided into eight equal segments or octants. Each octant represents a blend of Agency and Communion, providing nuanced descriptions of interpersonal styles (e.g., Managerial-Autocratic, Skeptical-Distrustful). The ICL items were specifically chosen to load maximally on these eight octants.

Validity

The ICL demonstrates strong construct validity, particularly in its rigorous fit with the theoretical structure of the Interpersonal Circumplex. Numerous studies utilizing multi-dimensional scaling and confirmatory techniques consistently show that the 128 items cluster effectively into the predicted octants, and that these octants are arranged in a circular order, strongly supporting the circumplex hypothesis.

Criterion validity has been established through correlations with other measures of interpersonal functioning, demonstrating its utility in predicting behavior in social and clinical contexts. The instrument’s ability to differentiate between various clinical populations—such as those exhibiting high dominance or extreme dependency—has further validated its utility in psychological research and diagnosis.

Reliability

Reliability estimates for the ICL are generally robust across various administration formats. Internal consistency (often measured using Cronbach’s alpha or split-half methods) for the eight octant scales typically falls within acceptable ranges, reflecting the coherence of the item clusters within each segment of the circumplex.

Test-retest reliability, assessed over short intervals, confirms the stability of the measured interpersonal traits, indicating that the ICL captures relatively enduring aspects of personality structure rather than transient states. The comprehensive nature of the 128 items ensures broad sampling of the interpersonal domain, contributing to overall scale dependability.

Factor Analysis

The underlying structure of the ICL is consistently confirmed through factor analysis. When the item intercorrelations are analyzed, the results invariably reveal two primary, orthogonal factors corresponding precisely to the theoretical dimensions of the Interpersonal Circumplex: Agency (Dominance) and Communion (Affiliation). These two factors account for the majority of the variance in interpersonal behavior captured by the scale.

Advanced factor analytic techniques, such as Circular Stochastic Modeling, further validate the radial structure, confirming that the eight octants are equally spaced around the perimeter of the two-dimensional space. The factor loadings demonstrate that items load highest on the factor closest to their theoretical position on the circle, validating the ICL’s design as a true measure of the two-dimensional interpersonal plane.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Checklist / Adjective Checklist

Format: 128 descriptive adjectives/phrases, typically answered in a dichotomous (check/not check) format.

Language Available: English (Original), various translations exist.

Population Group: General population, clinical samples, and relational groups.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults.

Population Details: Used extensively in psychiatric, social, and personality research since the mid-20th century. Used to assess self-concept, ideal self, and perceptions of others.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate which of the 128 terms describe themselves (or another target person). Scores are computed for the 8 octants, which are then plotted on the Interpersonal Circumplex to determine the individual’s dominant interpersonal style (vector length and angular location).

Keywords

Interpersonal behavior, Social psychology, Clinical diagnosis, Dominance, Affiliation, Octants, Psychological instrument, LaForge, Leary.

[quads id=5]

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information not readily available)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Information not readily available)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Information not readily available)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The ICL was first published in academic literature starting in 1955 and fully documented in Leary (1957). Given its foundational status and age, the instrument is often used in academic and non-commercial research settings. Researchers should consult the original sources or licensing bodies for current usage permissions and potential fees.

The original publication years are 1955 and 1957.

The original instrument can be found in the following PDF document maintained by the University of Michigan: Measuresofsocialpsychologicalattitudes_2928_.PDF

Reference’s

1. LaForge, R. and Suczek, R. (1955). The interpersonal dimension of personality: III. An interpersonal check list. Journal of Personality, 24, 94-112.
2. LaForge, R., Leary T. F., Naboisek, H., Coffey, H., & Freedman, M. B. (1954). The interpersonal dimension of personality: II. An objective study of repression. Journal of Personality, 23, 129-154.
3. Leary, T. F. & Coffey, H. S. (1955). Interpersonal diagnosis: Some problems of methodology and validation. Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology, 50, 110-124.
4. Leary, T. (1957). Interpersonal diagnosis of personality. New York, Ronald Press.
5. Robinson, John P., Shaver, Phillip R. (1969). Measures of Political Attitudes. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan/. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
6. DuHamel, Thomas Roland. (1970). “The interpersonal perceptions, interactions, and marital adjustment of hospitalized alcoholic males and their wives.” University of Massachusetts. Doctoral Dissertations.

[quads id=5]

Items of the Interpersonal Check List (ICL)

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

1. Well thought of
2. Makes a good impression
3. Able to give orders
4. Self-respecting
5. Independent
6. Able to take care of self
7. Can be indifferent to others
8. Can be strict if necessary
9. Firm but just
10. Can be frank and honest
11. Critical of others
12. Can complain if necessary
13. Often gloomy
14. Able to doubt others
15. Frequently disappointed
16. Able to criticize self
17. Apologetic
18. Can be obedient
19. Grateful
20. Admires and imitates others
21. Appreciative
22. Very anxious to be approved of
23. Cooperative
24. Eager to get along with others
25. Friendly
26. Affectionate and understanding
27. Considerate
28. Encourages others
29. Helpful
30. Big-hearted and unselfish
31. Often admired
32. Respected by others
33. Good leader
34. Likes responsibility
35. Self -confident
36. Self-reliant and assertive
37. Businesslike
38. Likes to compete with others
39. Hard-boiled when necessary
40. Stern but fair
41. Irritable
42. Straightforward and direct
43. Resents being bossed
44. Skeptical
45. Hard to impress
46. Touchy and easily hurt
47. Easily embarrassed
48. Lacks self-confidence
49. Easily led
50. Modest
51. Often helped by others
52. Very respectful to authority
53. Accepts advice readily
54. Trusting and eager to please
55. Always pleasant and agreeable
56. Wants everyone to like him
57. Sociable and neighborly
58. Warm
59. Kind and reassuring
60. Tender and softhearted
61. Enjoys taking care of others
62. Gives freely of self
63. Always giving advice
64. Acts important
65. Bossy
66. Dominating
67. Boastful
68. Proud and self-satisfied
69. Thinks only of himself
70. Shrewd and calculating
71. Impatient with others’ mistakes
72. Self-seeking
73. Outspoken
74. Often unfriendly
75. Bitter
76. Complaining
77. Jealous
78. Slow to forgive a wrong
79. Self -punishing
80. Shy
81. Passive and unaggressive
82. Meek
83. Dependent
84. Wants to be led
85. Lets others make decisions
86. Easily fooled
87. Too easily influenced by friends
88. Will confide in anyone
89. Fond of everyone
90. Likes everybody
91. Forgives anything
92. Over sympathetic
93. Generous to a fault
94. Overprotective of others
95. Tries to be too successful
96. Expects everyone to admire him
97. Manages others
98. Dictatorial
99. Somewhat snobbish
100. Egotistical and conceited
101. Selfish
102. Cold and unfeeling
103. Sarcastic
104. Cruel and unkind
105. Frequently angry
106. Hardhearted
107. Resentful
108. Rebels against everything
109. Stubborn
110. Distrusts everybody
111. Timid
112. Always ashamed of self
113. Obeys too willingly
114. Spineless
115. Hardly ever talks back
116. Clinging vine
117. Likes to be taken care of
118. Will believe anyone
119. Wants everyone’s love
120. Agrees with everyone
121. Friendly all the time
122. Loves everyone
123. Too lenient with others
124. Tries to comfort everyone
125. Too willing to give to others
126. Spoils people with kindness
127. Forceful
128. Usually gives in

The ICL Scoring Octants (8 Segments of the Interpersonal Circumplex):

1. Docile-Dependent (JK)
2. Cooperative-Over conventional (LM)
3. Responsible-Overgenerous (NO)
4. Managerial-Autocratic (AP)
5. Competitive-Exploitive (BC)
6. Blunt-Aggressive (DE)
7. Skeptical-Distrustful (FG)
8. Modest-Self-effacing (HI)

Octant Item Breakdown (Levels 1-4 represent increasing intensity/extremity of the trait):

• Octant 1: AP (Managerial-Autocratic)
  • A:
    1. Able to give orders
    2. Forceful, Good leader, Likes responsibility
    3. Bossy, Dominating, Manages others
    4. Dictatorial
  • P:
    1. Well thought of
    2. Makes a good impression, Often admired, Respected by others
    3. Always giving advice, Acts important, Tries to be too successful
    4. Expects everyone to admire him
• Octant 2: BC (Competitive-Exploitive)
  • B:
    1. Self-respecting
    2. Independent, Self-confident, Self-reliant and assertive
    3. Boastful, Proud and Self-satisfied, Somewhat snobbish
    4. Egotistical and conceited
  • C:
    1. Able to take care of Self
    2. Can be indifferent to others, Businesslike, Likes to compete with others
    3. Thinks only of himself, Shrewd and calculating, Selfish
    4. Cold and unfeeling
• Octant 3: DE (Blunt-Aggressive)
  • D:
    1. Can be strict if necessary
    2. Firm but just, Hardboiled when necessary, Stern but fair
    3. Impatient with others’ mistakes, Self-seeking, Sarcastic
    4. Cruel and unkind
  • E:
    1. Can be frank and honest
    2. Critical of others, Irritable, Straightforward and direct
    3. Outspoken, Often unfriendly, Frequently angry
    4. Hard-hearted
• Octant 4: FG (Skeptical-Distrustful)
  • F:
    1. Can complain if necessary
    2. Often gloomy, Resents being bossed, Skeptical
    3. Bitter, Complaining, Resentful
    4. Rebels against everything
  • G:
    1. Able to doubt others
    2. Frequently disappointed, Hard to impress, Touchy and easily hurt
    3. Jealous, Slow to forgive a wrong, Stubborn
    4. Distrusts everybody
• Octant 5: HI (Modest-Self-effacing)
  • H:
    1. Able to criticize self
    2. Apologetic, Easily embarrassed, Lacks self-confidence
    3. Self-punishing, Shy, Timid
    4. Always ashamed of Self
  • I:
    1. Can be obedient
    2. Usually gives in, Easily led, Modest
    3. Passive and unaggressive, Meek, Obeys too willingly
    4. Spineless
• Octant 6: JK (Docile-Dependent)
  • J:
    1. Grateful
    2. Admires and imitates others, Often helped by others, Very respectful to authority
    3. Dependent, Wants to be led, Hardly ever talks back
    4. Clinging vine
  • K:
    1. Appreciative
    2. Very anxious to be approved of, Accepts advice readily, Trusting and eager to please
    3. Lets others make decisions, Easily fooled, Likes to be taken care of
    4. Will believe anyone
• Octant 7: LM (Cooperative-Over conventional)
  • L:
    1. Cooperative
    2. Eager to get along with others, Always pleasant and agreeable, Wants everyone to like him
    3. Too easily influenced by friends, Will confide in anyone, Wants everyone’s love
    4. Agrees with everyone
  • M:
    1. Friendly
    2. Affectionate and understanding, Sociable and neighborly, Warm
    3. Fond of everyone, Likes everybody, Friendly all the time
    4. Loves everyone
• Octant 8: NO (Responsible-Overgenerous)
  • N:
    1. Considerate
    2. Encouraging others, Kind and reassuring, Tender and soft-hearted
    3. Forgives anything, Over sympathetic, Too lenient with others
    4. Tries to comfort everyone
  • O:
    1. Helpful
    2. Big-hearted and unselfish, Enjoys taking care of others, Gives freely of self
    3. Generous to a fault, Overprotective of others, Too Willing to give to others
    4. Spoils people with kindness