Rigidity of attitudes and behaviors: a study on the validity of the concept

The present study provides validity estimates of the concept of rigidity. More specifically, the authors address the question whether the theoretical concept of rigidity adequately represents everyday behavioral patterns. Using multitrait-multimethod analyses and confirmatory factor analyses with self-ratings and other-ratings, the authors empirically examine whether and to what extent rigidity is related to other personality constructs (personal need for structure, cognitive flexibility, openness to experience, conscientiousness). A correlated traitcorrelated uniqueness model fitted the data most adequately. Rigidity demonstrates medium and large positive relationships with the concepts of conscientiousness and personal need for structure, respectively. Additionally, substantial negative relationships are found with cognitive flexibility and openness to experience. Given the present results, it is concluded that rigidity is represented in the present study by measures which demonstrate adequate validities, suggesting that the construct of rigidity amply represents everyday behavior.