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In Press · Empirical Article

Angular Discrepancy and Personality Functioning Across Interpersonal Circumplex Surfaces

Gilbert, K. J., & Hopwood, C. J.

2026Assessment

Plain-language finding

Differences between interpersonal problems, values, and perceived abilities can contain clinically meaningful information beyond the elevation of any one surface.

Project overview

Using multisurface interpersonal assessment in 1,101 community adults, the study examines whether cross-surface angular discrepancy explains personality functioning beyond the severity of individual interpersonal profiles.

Interactive explainer

Angular discrepancy is the smallest angle between two interpersonal peaks.

Move the efficacy vector. A small angle means problems and efficacies peak in similar interpersonal regions. A large angle means they point in different directions.

Low discrepancy · peaks occupy similar regions
Problems and efficacy vectors on an interpersonal circumplexDominanceWarmthSubmissionColdnessProblemsEfficacies30°

What the geometry adds

Three layers of information can coexist in one assessment.

The interaction above explains the angle; the article tests its relation to personality functioning.

01

Elevation

Each surface can indicate how strongly interpersonal problems, values, or perceived abilities are endorsed overall.

02

Location

The circumplex peak identifies the interpersonal region where a surface is most differentiated.

03

Discrepancy

The angle between peaks represents cross-surface alignment or divergence that elevation alone cannot capture.

Formal citation

Gilbert, K. J., & Hopwood, C. J. (in press). Angular discrepancy and personality functioning across interpersonal circumplex surfaces. Assessment.