I. Van Mechelen et Hal. Kiers, Individual differences in anxiety responses to stressful situations: A three-mode component analysis model, EUR J PERS, 13(5), 1999, pp. 409-428
The three-mode component analysis model is discussed as a tool for a contex
tualized study of personality. When applied to person x situation x respons
e data, the model includes sets of latent dimensions for persons, situation
s, and responses as well as a so-called core array, which may be considered
a summary description of the individual differences in response profiles a
cross situations. Underlying psychological processes may be further reveale
d by relating the model to external data on cognitive-affective personality
system (CAPS) variables. The model as well as its validation in CAPS terms
is illustrated with self-report data on anxiety responses displayed by sev
eral persons in a sample of situations. Furthermore, the model is tested ag
ainst recently formulated criticisms regarding the use of (two-mode) factor
analysis in personality research, and its relation to the triple typology
model recently proposed by Vansteelandt and Van Mechelen (1998) is briefly
discussed. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.