My research investigates aspects of both normal and pathological forms of personality. Specifically, it focuses on ways of better understanding personality by studying its relationship with the interpersonal world. Interpersonal functioning provides a window into an individual’s perceptions, motivations, and judgment as he or she navigates a highly complex situation. Particularly among those with personality disorders, interpersonal relationships are often emotionally charged and conflictual, providing some of the most interesting expressions of personality.
Much of my research uses Social Network Analysis as a way to map variations in a person’s interpersonal world. A Social Network (which could include a face-to-face network, or an online social network like Facebook) is a way of mapping patterns of relationships. It models a web of connections among people based on how well, and from what context, they know one another. I use this methodology as a new way to improve our understanding of personality and interpersonal functioning.
Enhancing the Assessment of Personality
This aspect of my research is concerned with studying variations in people’s personalities across their social network. I am interested in why people behave differently with different people in their social networks, for example, why the same person may behave extroverted and gregarious with one group of friends, but introverted and reticent with others. Moreover, can gathering information from informants in different regions of a person’s social network help us to develop a more accurate understanding of the whole person?
Clifton, A. (In press). Variability in personality expression across contexts: A social network approach. Journal of Personality.
Clifton, A., Turkheimer, E., & Oltmanns, T. F. (2007). Improving assessment of personality disorder traits through social network analysis. Journal of Personality, 75, 1007-1031. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00464.x
Clifton, A., Turkheimer, E., & Oltmanns, T. F. (2004). Contrasting perspectives on personality problems: Descriptions from the self and others. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 1499-1514. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2003.06.002
Assessing patterns of interpersonal behavior in personality pathology
My second line of research involves exploring new ways of conceptualizing personality disorders and other psychopathology, focusing on interpersonal factors. Personality disorders are variants of personality that cause problems, rather than providing a stable foundation for successful functioning. Personality disorders lead to impaired functioning in a variety of ways, including impulsive behavior, poor coping strategies, unemployment, unstable romantic relationships, social isolation, and violence. However, most research has focused on the presence or absence of specific personality traits, rather than the resulting impairment to functioning. I have been using Social Network Analysis as a way of mapping and describing these interpersonal impairments.
Lamkin, J., Clifton, A., Campbell, W. K., & Miller, J. D. (In press). An examination of the social network characteristics associated with grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment.
Clifton, A., & Kuper, L.E. (2011). Self-reported personality variability across the social network is associated with interpersonal dysfunction. Journal of Personality, 79, 359-389. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00686.x
Leising, D., Krause, S., Köhler, D., Hinsen, K., & Clifton, A. (2011). Assessing interpersonal competencies: Views from within and without. Journal of Research in Personality, 45, 631-641. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2011.08.011
Clifton, A., Turkheimer, E., & Oltmanns, T. F. (2009) Personality disorder in social networks: Network position as a marker of interpersonal dysfunction. Social Networks, 31, 26-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2008.08.003
Clifton, A., Pilkonis, P. A., & McCarty, C. (2007). Social networks in borderline personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders, 21, 434-441. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2007.21.4.434
Clifton, A., & Pilkonis, P.A. (2007). Evidence for a single latent class of DSM borderline personality pathology. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 48, 70-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2006.07.002
Clifton, A., Turkheimer, E., & Oltmanns, T. F. (2005). Self and peer perspectives on pathological personality traits and interpersonal problems. Psychological Assessment, 17, 123-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.17.2.123
Addictive and Impulsive Disorders
In addition to my research at Vassar, I have recently begun collaborations with researchers at the University of Georgia to assess the social networks of those with impairments related to drinking, gambling, drug use, and other impulsive and addictive behaviors. We are examining how the social networks differ in individuals with these disorders, and how interpersonal factors may serve to maintain or reinforce the disorders.
MacKillop, J., Acker, J. D., Bollinger, J., Clifton, A., Miller, J. D., Campbell, W. K., & Goodie, A. S. (2013). The Brief Alcohol Social Density Assessment (BASDA): Convergent, criterion-related and incremental validity. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 74, 810-815. URL
Meisel, M. K., Clifton, A., MacKillop, J., Miller, J. D., Campbell, W. K., & Goodie, A. S. (2013). Egocentric social network analysis of pathological gambling. Addiction, 108, 584-591. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/add.12014
Fortune, E. E., MacKillop, J., Miller, J. D., Campbell, W. K., Clifton, A. D., & Goodie, A. S. (2013). Social network factors in relation to pathological gambling: An initial investigation. Journal of Gambling Studies, 29, 329-342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-012-9303-3