H as a measure of complexity of social information processing.
Many studies have used H (a measure of unpredictability derived from information theory) to quantify the complexity of descriptions of persons across multiple roles. Interpreting these studies is problematic, though, because H confounds unpredictability across roles (which is typically the construct of interest) and unpredictability within roles (which is simply a function of the proportion of traits endorsed). The need to control for unpredictability within roles was highlighted by 3 demonstration studies in which controlling for unpredictability within roles eliminated relations between well-being and H. I also show how, controlling for unpredictability due to the number of traits endorsed and number of roles described, H provides a unique measure of role dependence and independence. However, H does not measure the type of role overlaps that would predict "spillover effects" between roles; therefore, I recommend an alternative index of role similarity for future research on spillover effects.
Locke
Kenneth D
KD
Department of Psychology, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844, USA. klocke@uidaho.ed
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007257:Information Theory; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D012938:Social Perception