The relationship between drug abusers' level of interpersonal cognitive differentiation and preferred drug of abuse was explored. 30 subjects completed a drug-history questionnaire which provided information on the pattern and extent of drug use. Interpersonal cognitive differentiation was assessed with a modified form of Kelly's grid repertory test. Depressant abusers were significantly less differentiated than stimulant abusers. Cross-validation with a larger sample would make more interesting the implications which are discussed in the context of earlier studies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BieriJ.AtkinsABriarJ.LobeckR.MillerH.TripodiT.Clinical and social judgement. New York: Wiley, 1966.
2.
ByrneA.The Repression-Sensitization Scale: Rationale, reliability, and validity. Journal of Personality, 1961, 12, 334–349.
3.
CarrolE.ZuckermanM.Psychopathology and sensation seeking in “downers,” “speeders,” and “trippers:” a relationship between personality and drug of choice. International Journal of the Addictions, 1977, 12, 591–601.
4.
HenriquesE.ArsenianJ.CutterH.SamaraweeraA.Personality characteristics and drug of choice. International Journal of the Addictions, 1972, 7, 73–76.
5.
KellyG.The psychology of personal constructs. New York: Norton, 1955.
6.
LandfieldA.Personal construct systems in psychotherapy. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1971.
7.
MilkmanH.FroschW.The drug of choice. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs, 1977, 9, 11–24.
8.
TrevithickL.HoschH.MMPI correlates of drug addiction based on drug of choice. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 180–184.
9.
WilkinsG.EptingF.Van deReitH.Relationship between repression-sensitization and interpersonal cognitive complexity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1972, 39, 448–450.
