Essay On Interpersonal Circumplex

The interpersonal circumplex describes state-like personality characteristics and predicts behaviour between two people. The dimensions of the model are intended to possess complementarity, whereby individuals seek personalities that complement and strengthen their own characteristics via reciprocity and correspondence (Woodward & Bauer, 2007). This means that those individuals who are high in dominance would gravitate towards someone who is submissive and vice versa. In contrast, those high in hostility would attract hostile counterparts. Thus, the interaction between personality characteristics of humans and their pets may serve to strengthen the relationship bond (Woodward & Bauer, 2007).

A growing number of studies have attempted to support the theory that cats and dogs differ in their personality attributes. Several common factors have emerged across these studies, such as difference among social behaviours. Higher levels of dominance and hostility have been reported among domestic cats (as cited in Fonberg, 1985). Not surprisingly, domesticated dogs are higher in submissive behaviours (as cited in Marder, 1989). Woodward et al. also reflect upon previously held theories of companion animal attachment that suggest attachment is mediated by the needs of the owner and the characteristics of their pet.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the interpersonal circumplex model of personality can be applied to a cross species assessment and to study how complementarity can predict attachment and satisfaction between humans and their pets (Woodward & Bauer, 2007). The authors offered three hypotheses: 1) dog owners will perceive their animals as less hostile and more submissive than cats and also self-report similar trai...

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...at people revealed that neither group had greater complementarity with their ideal pet, which implies that hypothesis 2 was not upheld. In regards to hypothesis 3, results of the regression analysis revealed that, as predicted, pet behaviour and complementarity were positively correlated with animal attachment (Woodward & Bauer, 2007).

The goal of the study was to determine personality characteristics of pets and to use the circumplex model to assess human-animal bonds. The results confirm that self-identified dog and cat people seek complementarity with their pets. However, results were insignificant between the interaction with ideal pet and the level of complementarity. It appears that the greatest predictor for human-animal attachment is the correspondence between the needs of the owner and the interpersonal characteristics of their pet (Woodward & Bauer, 2007).