Two principle investigators are working with the same 18 x 18 repertory
grid. Columns of the grid represent role stereotypes (people) and rows
of the grid represent constructs/contrasts. Subjects respond "+", "-",
or <blank>, corresponding to elements which are part of the construct,
part of the contrast, or neither (it does not apply), respectively.
Our problem is that of reflecting certain rows of the grid; specifically,
those rows which seem highly similar to other rows, excepting that they
are reversed in direction. For example, consider the following two
hypothetical construct/contasts:
good/bad
bad/good
If the "+" responses of the second construct/contrast were changed to
"-", and the "-" changed to "+", then the second construct/contrast would
have been "reflected," and the two constructs would now read:
good/bad
good/bad
Presumably, apart from various sources of error, the two
construct/contrasts would be identical. The next operational step would
be to cluster the rows of the grid, and the two "identical"
construct/contrasts would fall into the same cluster.
Our specific problem is that of applying a systematic procedure to
determine which construct/contrasts should be reflected. Which is the
best procedure?
Three different approaches have been suggested: (1) One column of the
grid contains the stereotype "Me as I wold like to be," and presumably
represents the "Ideal Self." Some column elements contain "+", others
"-", and others are blank. The procedure is to reflect any row where the
Ideal Self entry is a "-". (2) Correlate two rows of the grid using
Pearson Product-Moment correlation. Reflect one of the two rows if the
correlation is statistically significant and negative (ignore bending
assumptions underlying appropriateness of the significance test). (3)
Count the number of cases in which a "+" occurs in one row and a "-"
occurs in the other. Award half of a count for each case in which both
rows contain matching blanks. Apply binomial probability distribution.
If the number of matches is greater than 10, then p < .05, so reflect one
of the rows.
Prof. Robert Neimeyer has kindly referred us to an article by Nigel MacKay
(*International J. of Pers. Construct Psych., 1992, pp 57-75).
Unfortunately, our closest access to this journal seems to be Berkeley,
California some 800 miles north of us and it would cost too much time
(several weeks) to obtain a copy of the article -- other economic factors
require that the work proceed apace and without delay.
Other procedures for reflecting and recommendations will be most
greatfully appreciated!
F. Reid Creech, Ph.D.
30504 Lilac Road
Valley Center, CA 92082 USA
(619)-749-2943
Fax to above number with alerting phone call so faxmodem can be setup.
Email fcreech@nunic.nu.edu
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