A metrical approach to the cognitive structure of interpersonal relationships

Comparison of the cognitive structure in two- and three-person relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a metrical approach to the cognitive structure of interpersonal relationships, using the e_ij-type and e_ijk-type quantification methods by C. Hayashi, and the two methods to estimate the strength of interpersonal relations, one being the multidimensional paired comparison type (C. Hayashi), and another, the semantic differential type (K. Maruyama). The experimental objects were 10 famous statesmen, whose interpersonal relations in pairs and trios were judged by the subjects. The results indicated the effectiveness of the metrical approach in dealing with some problems of two- and three- person relationships.