A More Bias-Proof Measure for the Type a Subcomponent of Exaggerated Interpersonal Control

Abstract

This study reports the development and initial psychometric refinement of a forced choice version of the Way of Life Scale (WOLS), a measure of the coronary prone/Type A behavior pattern (TABP) subcomponent of exaggerated interpersonal control. The format of this new instrument requires respondents to choose one of two items that are of equal "favorability." This method is designed to limit the influence of social desirability and of denial on subjects' test responses. Initial results suggest that scores on the new (forced-choice) version of the WOLS are more similar to scores obtained by the most valid measure of the TABP (i.e., the structured interview) than are the same subjects' scores on the original version of the WOLS. This closer approximation of the forced choice WOLS to the structured interview appears to result from the forced-choice scale'sability to reduce respondents' social desirability and/or denial tendencies. Suggestions are offered for both clinical applications and further research with the new forced-choice scale.