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Differences in Interpersonal Orientation of Heroin, Amphetamine, and Barbiturate Users *
Author(s) -
Penk W. E.,
Robinowitz R.,
Fudge J. W.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
british journal of addiction to alcohol and other drugs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0007-0890
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1978.tb00125.x
Subject(s) - psychology , heroin , interpersonal communication , dominance (genetics) , amphetamine , heroin dependence , normative , social psychology , interpersonal relationship , clinical psychology , drug , psychiatry , political science , biochemistry , chemistry , neuroscience , dopamine , gene , law
In order to test the clinical utility of McClelland's (1972) power‐conflict notions in compulsive drug use and Teasdale's (1972) empirical findings that British heroin users characteristically evidence higher ‘power’ orientations in interpersonal interaction than nonheroin drug users, Leary's (1957) measures of ‘dominance’ and eight interpersonal orientation types were compared among three groups of white, male, American veterans voluntarily seeking treatment for drug use problems (heroin, N = 63; amphetamines, N = 45; and barbiturates, N = 34). Drug users scored significantly higher in dominance than normative samples; heroin users scored significantly higher in dominance than either amphetamine‐ or barbiturate‐users. Qualified support was given McClelland's power‐conflict model; Modifications are indicated that take into account differences in measurement perspective (public behavior vs. underlying character structure) as well as differences in interpersonal orientation types both within and between groups of drug users classified by drug‐most‐used.