Frequency of Occurrence and the Likeableness of Trait Names

Abstract

The report examines the relationship between the likeableness (L) scale values of adjectives, as obtained by Anderson, and the frequencies of occurrence of the adjectives. Also presented is the distribution of the frequencies of occurrence of the adjectives. The distribution is skewed, with a median at approximately 5.7 words-per-million (wpm) and a range from 4 words per 18 million through 100+ wpm. A large number of frequency points show a very low word density. There is a low, significant correlation (.299) between frequency and L. The methodological implications of the findings are examined.