The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum number of differences of the received two-step choices which brings the specific behavioral effects. This was a sub-experiment in a work for formulating a two-step index in sociometry by comparing the effects of the two-step choice with the one-step choice.
The same method was used as the preceding studies by Kano. According to the data of sociometric test (choice criteria was “study” “play” and “consulting”) given to middle school students, many two person pairs who were different in two-step received choices but equal in one-step were compared by four teachers regarding five dimensions. Five dimensions were influence, socialibility, reliability, popularity, and scholastciability. Pairs were classified by the value of differences between the components.
The value of differences were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and more than 6. Results were as follows. As to the “study” criterion, a significant difference (5% level) was found regarding reliability and scholastic ability when the differences reach 5, as to the “play” criterion, regarding socialibility when the differences reach 5, and as to the “consulting” criterion regarding socialibility, scholastic ability when the differences reach 5, and regarding influence and reliability when 6.
From these facts it may be said that the results were different by the criteria of sociometric test, but significant relationships were found when the value of differences of two-step received choice reach more than 5.