Social Style Research – History, research, reliability and validity

The Social Style Model has been researched for over 40 years and TRACOM continually ensures the reliability and validity of the model and its measurement systems using established psychometric techniques. Social Style research and the Model is not stagnant, but rather undergoes ongoing refinement and enhancement. The Model has also been researched and developed for global applications.

Social Style Profiles measure behavioural style. But behaviour, like all psychological phenomena, is different than things that can be easily and accurately measured in the physical world, such as weight and height. In order to make this claim, the instrument has to adhere to standards that have been set forth by the scientific community. In particular, research evidence should correspond to criteria set forth in the “Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing” (AERA, APA & NCME, 1999), which provides benchmarks for developing psychological measurement instruments. This evidence comes in two primary forms: reliability and validity.

Social Style Research – Reliability

Reliability determines whether an instrument measures in a way that is consistent and dependable.  As an example, if I weigh myself on the same scale every day for a week and my weight is registered the same every day, then this scale is reliable.  

Social Style Research – Validity

Validity determines whether an instrument measures accurately. In other words, does it measure what it proposes to measure?  In the example above, if I stepped on the scale and it told me that I have brown eyes, it would not be a valid measure since it isn’t measuring my weight.

Ongoing Research

TRACOM’s Social Style Profiles have been administered to more than 1.5 million people over the past three decades. TRACOM’s Social Style profiles are valid, reliable instruments. TRACOM continues its ongoing research, updating validation on the instruments every six months.

We would be happy to discuss how to use SOCIAL STYLEsm in your organisation. Our training consultants work across the UK and further afield as required, our contact details are here.

For more details on our Social Style Training Programmes, contact us now. We work throughout the UK and internationally and our team of trainers are able to talk through your exact requirements, and the training required, to develop your managers into high peformance managers

ISS Course

Social Style - Introduction to Social Style

UMBDE Course

Social Style - Understanding and Managing Behavioral Differences

PRO Course

Social Style - Producing Results with Others

ePRO Course

Social Style eLearning