Assessing the Personalities of Soviet Politburo Members

Reporting on a content analysis of speeches and interviews of Soviet Politburo members, this study provides an initial assessment of the personal characteristics of these political leaders. The characteristics examined are ethnocentrism, belief in one's own ability to control events, need for power, need for affiliation, conceptual complexity, self-confidence, distrust of others, and task orientation. In addition to describing Politburo members and exploring the impact of situational variables on their personal characteristics, interrelations are reported between these characteristics and background data as well as position on detente.

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