She's just being catty: Exploring social derogation among young adults

• In Event: Perceptions of Hurtful Messages in Interpersonal Relationships: Whose Perception Matters?

Abstract

This paper represents the second step in a multi-stage study of one type of negative communication often labeled “cattiness.” Qualitative pilot study data provided a list of behaviors reported as constituting cattiness, which was converted into a self-report questionnaire utilized to collect data regarding who engages in and receives this negative communication, and how often. An exploratory factor analysis revealed four components of the Interpersonal Spitefulness Index and measures of reliability and validity were satisfactory.

Author

• Kristen Norwood, University of Iowa