The Relationship of the Marlowe-Crowne Scale and its Components to Defensive Preferences

Two lines of recent research have interpreted the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC-SDS) as a measure of either need to avoid social disapproval or need to protect and maintain vulnerable self-esteem. In addition, it has been suggested that two component (Attribution and Denial) scores derived from the MC-SDS are differentially related to defensiveness. The present study tested several hypotheses regarding the relationship of the MC-SDS and its components to relative preference for five classes of defensive responses, as measured by the Defense Mechanisms Inventory. Results among females best supported a disapproval-avoidance interpretation of the MC-SDS. while no support was found for the proposed differential validity of the attribution, and denial components. Support for such differential validity was, however, obtained among males. Results for this group suggest that high denial component scorers will opt for protecting vulnerable self-esteem even in the face of possible social disapproval, while high attribution scorers are primarily concerned with avoiding such disapproval. Implications for use of the MCSDS and its components as measures of defensiveness are discussed and suggestions for additional research are presented.     

A test of the hypothesis about the two-dimensional nature of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scale

This paper presents the results from two related studies concerning the internal structure of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability (MD-SD) scale. Study 1 tested the hypothesis that attribution and denial are two major components of the MC-SD scale by factoring the intercorrelations among the MC-SD items using the correlated multiple-group common factor analysis, and the results supported the hypothesis. Study 2 investigated the differential validity of these components for predicting scores on the Lie scale, the K scale, and the Repression-Sensitization scale. The attribution and denial components were found to be differentially related to the K scale and the Repression-Sensitization scale but not the Lie scale. These results were also interpreted as partially supporting the hypothesis.     

The invalidity of disclaimers about the effects of social feedback on self-esteem

Despite the fact that several theories suggest that people's self-esteem is affected by social approval and disapproval, many individuals steadfastly maintain that how other people regard them has no effect on how they feel about themselves. To examine the validity of these beliefs, two experiments compared the effects of social approval and disapproval on participants who had indicated either that their self-esteem is affected by how other people evaluate them or that their self-esteem is unaffected by interpersonal evaluation. Results of both studies converged to show that approval and disapproval clearly affected the self-esteem of even those individuals who denied that social evaluations affected their feelings about themselves.     

Intellectual ability correlates of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale

The hypothesis that the Marlowe-Crowne Scale would be negatively related to a variety of intellectual ability measures was investigated in a sample of college students. As predicted, MC scores were negatively correlated with measures of intelligence (Quick Test), associational ability (Remote Associates Test), and academic achievement (course grades). These results suggest that the vulnerable self-esteem and defensiveness traditionally ascribed to high versus low MC scorers may at least in part, reflect a history of poorer performance in intellectual and academically related activities.     

Depressed mood: The role of negative thoughts,self-consciousness,and sex role stereotypes

Research typically finds that depression is twice as common among women as among men. This may relate to differences in socialization that result in different emotions, cognitions, and coping reactions. Sex-role stereotypes, employment and marital status, and differential social pressures may also be significant in making women more vulnerable to the development of depression. Women may have less decision-making power, face more adverse life events, and have limited access to resources, which may lead to feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem. Low self-esteem and negative cognitions about the self in turn may be proximal factors predictive of negative mood. Additionally, women may be more prone to ruminative self-focus rather than active coping, a significant risk factor for depression. This study examined individual predictors of depressed mood for each sex, including coping, self-esteem, negative thoughts, self-consciousness (rumination), as well as social factors such as the endorsement of sex-role stereotypes and decision-making power in the family. Results indicated that social factors were not related to depressed mood in either sex, but were related to coping styles and self-esteem. Depressed mood was associated with individual characteristics, such as avoidant coping styles, social anxiety for women, and ruminative self-focus for men. Regression analysis showed that coping through denial and negative thoughts explained depressed mood, and the latter was particularly true for men. These results point to the significance of examining both individual and social factors when attempting to understand depression in men and women.     

Fluid compensation following threats to self-concept clarity

We examined defensive responses to self-clarity threats, finding that self-uncertain participants gave larger rewards to a social hero, but larger punishments to a social transgressor, than self-certain participants (Study 1). To examine whether there are individual differences in defensiveness to meaning threats, we included moderators, showing that high self-esteem individuals (HSE) thinking about self-inconsistencies gave more polarized evaluations of someone criticizing vs. complimenting their ingroup than self-consistent HSEs (Study 2). We found similar responses to a relational self-clarity threat, among individuals for whom relationships are self-defining (Study 3). Results held controlling for the impact of the self-clarity manipulations on self-esteem. This research is compatible with the meaning maintenance model, which stipulates that various meaning threats elicit fluid compensatory efforts designed to restore general feelings of meaningfulness. We discuss limitations and future directions.     

Construction et évaluation d'un questionnaire sur l'estime de soi sociale destiné aux jeunes adultes

Despite the great number of researches available on self-esteem, the conceptualization and measurement of this construct present weaknesses, especially when trying to understand the social dimension of self-esteem among young adults. This article works towards the following objectives: a) to present a conceptualization of global self-esteem; b) to create a model of social self-esteem peculiar to young adults by identifying the principal components of this construct and the weaknesses of the questionnaires used in most studies measuring social self-esteem; c) to examine the validity of a new french instrument intended to measure social self-esteem in young adults aged 16-24, Évaluation sociale de Soi chez les jeunes adultes. The theoretical model of social self-esteem in this research is composed of two dimensions: 1-the feeling of self-competence in various social gatherings; 2-the feeling of social acceptance, popularity and interest in social relationships. Each of these two dimensions are respectively composed of four and three scales. Two studies of the statistical validity of this instrument offer support to the use of this scale to measure the aspects involved in the self-valuation of young adults in the social area.     

困境儿童孤独与社交焦虑对抑郁的影响——自尊的中介作用

为探讨困境儿童孤独、社交焦虑、抑郁和自尊的现状、特点、关系以及自尊在其中的中介作用,进而为困境儿童心理帮扶及救助提供依据。本研究使用儿童抑郁障碍自评量表、儿童孤独量表、儿童社交焦虑量表和自尊量表对重庆市17个区县1733名困境儿童进行调查。结果发现:(1)抑郁、社交焦虑和自尊存在性别差异,抑郁、孤独、社交焦虑和自尊存在年龄差异;(2)孤独和社交焦虑与抑郁呈显著正相关并显著预测抑郁,自尊与抑郁呈显著负相关并显著预测抑郁。(3)困境儿童的自尊在孤独和抑郁之间,社交焦虑和抑郁之间起中介作用。结果表明:困境儿童的孤独、社交焦虑既可直接影响其抑郁水平,也可通过自尊的中介作用间接影响其抑郁水平。     

Defensiveness in response to aid from a sibling.

Defensive reactions to aid in the context of a close relationship were studied. Young adult siblings reported on their self-esteem, the quality of the sibling relationship, relevant demographic variables, and a variety of components of defensiveness to aid. Consistent with theory, the components of defensiveness were interrelated. A large percentage (52%) of the variance in defensiveness was accounted for by conflict between siblings, dominance relative to one's sibling, low global self-esteem, high self-esteem when comparing oneself with one's sibling, and low levels of feelings of entitlement. Siblings were least defensive in reaction to aid from older and female siblings. Corroboration from a subset of benefactor siblings was obtained. The results are discussed in relation to recent thinking about the nature of receiving support in close relationships and recipients' reactions to aid.     

The nature of death and the death of nature: The impact of mortality salience on environmental concern

According to terror management theory, individuals are motivated to distinguish themselves from the rest of nature because doing so facilitates the denial of human mortality. However, based on an integration of terror management and contingencies of self-worth perspectives, the present research hypothesized that existential insecurities about death may differentially influence environmental concern depending on whether or not an individual derives self-esteem from environmental action. Results demonstrated that heightened mortality awareness led to less concern for the environment among those not deriving self-esteem from an environmental domain, but fostered environmental concern among those who do acquire self-esteem from environmental action. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

外显与内隐自尊对大学生主观幸福感的预测

本研究通过运用内隐联想测验和量表法对111名大学生进行测试,在确认自尊结构的基础上,考察外显和内隐自尊对主观幸福感的预测。结果发现:(1)大学生自尊结构是双重的,存在外显自尊和内隐自尊两种成分;(2)外显自尊和内隐自尊都可以显著预测大学生主观幸福感。     

Discrepant and congruent high self-esteem: Behavioral self-handicapping as a preemptive defensive strategy

Discrepant high self-esteem (i.e., high explicit and low implicit self-esteem) has been associated with a number of defensive behaviors. This study investigated the use of behavioral self-handicapping as a preemptive defensive strategy among those with discrepant high self-esteem. Participants were told that an upcoming test of an important ability was only diagnostic of either exceptionally high or very low skills (i.e., only success or failure was diagnostic of ability) and were given the opportunity to behaviorally self-handicap by selecting from a range of performance-detracting versus neutral music choices. Results showed that when success was diagnostic, participants with discrepant high self-esteem engaged in significantly greater behavioral self-handicapping than other participants. This suggests that (1) the defensiveness of those with discrepant high self-esteem extends to the use of preemptive strategies such as self-handicapping, and (2) this defensiveness is triggered when the situation provides a test of exceptionally high ability.     

Social roles and social perception: individual differences in attribution and error

In a replication of the social roles experiment by Ross, Amabile, and Steinmetz (1977), 103 male and female 14-year-olds viewed a brief videotape that showed a randomly assigned "questioner" asking general knowledge questions of a "contestant," who answered most of them incorrectly. Subjects subsequently manifested the role-based attribution error of attributing significantly more knowledge and ability to the arbitrarily designated questioner than to the arbitrarily designated contestant, and this effect was stronger among girls than boys. Personality data were available on the subjects for when they were in nursery school and again at age 14 in the form of independent Q-sort ratings. Personality correlates of the role effect were stronger among boys but manifested a basically similar pattern among girls and suggested that those most prone to make this attribution error, far from being disadvantaged in social judgment, tended to be more socially engaged and competent as well as emotionally well adjusted. The role effect was also positively associated with self-esteem. Personality correlates of attributional generosity and the tendency to attribute high ability to stimulus persons were associated with generally positive interpersonal qualities and attitudes. Results were interpreted in terms of usually appropriate heuristic social competencies that, in special circumstances, may sometimes underlie attribution errors. The general usefulness of examining individual differences in research on social cognition was noted.     

Need for social approval: Impression management or self-deception?

A bogus pipeline technique was employed to separate the self- and other-deceptive components in social desirability responding and need for social approval. The self- and the other-deceptive components of social desirability responding were found to be independent of each other but to be positively and independently related to individual differences in need for approval score. Self-deceptive persons demonstrated diminished recall while other-deceptive persons exhibited enhanced recall of negatively evaluative characteristics. Such differential association with repressive and sensitizing defensive styles is discussed within the context of defensive denial and impression management conception of approval motivation.     

An empirical investigation of self-esteem as a composite construct

Three measures of chronic self-esteem, plus four measures developed to assess situational components of self-esteem (task-specific self-esteem and social self-esteem), were administered to 238 undergraduates at a large, urban university and a community college in the southeastern United States. Evidence for a composite construct of self-esteem was found. Results also indicate task-specific self-esteem correlates as high as .42 (p < .01) with chronic self-esteem and as high as .76 (p < .01) with social self-esteem. Task-specific self-esteem was found to be a better predictor of grade point average than chronic or social self-esteem. Suggestions are made for further research on the situational components of self-esteem to extend current findings.     

On the two-dimensional nature of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale

Ramanaiah, Schill, and Leung (1977) reported empirical evidence supporting Millham's (1974) hypothesis that attribution and denial are two separate components of the MC-SD scale. This paper presents the results of two studies conducted to test the hypothesis that the results obtained by Ramanaiah et al. (1977) may be attributed to method variance caused by the keying direction in the MC-SD attribution and denial subscales. The first study was concerned with the development of balanced attribution and denial scales, while the second study investigated whether the results from Ramanaiah et al., which used the original unbalanced attribution and denial scales, could be replicated with the balanced scales developed in Study I. The results strongly supported the tested hypothesis, indicating that the two subscales are measuring essentially the same construct.     

Lung function, adherence and denial in asthma patients who exhibit a repressive coping style

Lung function, adherence and denial were explored in asthma patients who possess a repressive coping style (repressors). Repressors (low trait anxiety, high defensiveness) and non-repressors were identified by their trait anxiety and defensiveness scores. Participants completed measures of self-reported adherence, denial, morbidity and demographic data. A lung function measure (FEV(1)) was obtained for a subset of patients. Repressors, who comprised 33% of the sample, had significantly worse lung function but scored significantly higher on self-reported adherence, compared to non-repressors. Age was positively correlated with adherence. Although repressive coping was positively correlated with denial, denial was significantly correlated with defensiveness but not trait anxiety. The study provides evidence that repressors are an important group to identify in future studies of asthma.     

Low self-esteem and the neural basis of attentional bias for social rejection cues: Evidence from the N2pc ERP component

Previous studies have indicated that individuals with low self-esteem show an attentional bias toward information concerning social rejection. The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate whether task-irrelevant rejection cues could capture the visuo-spatial attention of low self-esteem individuals during a demanding visual detection task. The N2pc ERP component was measured as an index of the allocation of spatial attention. Results revealed that rejection cues induced greater N2pc component responses among individuals with low levels of self-esteem than for those with high levels of self-esteem. These results suggest that task-irrelevant rejection cues are likely to capture the attention of individuals with low self-esteem but not those with high self-esteem. These findings provide direct electrophysiological support for the idea that individuals with low levels of self-esteem show an attentional bias for cues related to social rejection.     

Attributions of Responsibility for Problem Cause and Problem Solution: Their Relationship to Self-Esteem

The relationship of self-esteem to attribution of responsibility for problem cause and problem solution was studied in a sample of 205 college undergraduates. The results revealed a tendency for self-esteem to be negatively associated with the endorsement of an attribution style that features high responsibility for problem cause but low responsibility for problem solving. This result may be due to the lack of instrumentality and the feelings of failure associated with such an attribution style. The results are also discussed with reference to previous research on self-esteem and attribution of responsibility.     

Attribution of success and failure revisited, or: The motivational bias is alive and well in attribution theory

Do causal attributions serve the need to protect and / or enhance self-esteem? In a recent review, Miller and Ross (1975) proposed that there is evidence for self-serving effect in the attribution of success but not in the attribution of failure; and that this effect reflects biases in information-processing rather than self-esteem maintenance. The present review indicated that self-serving effects for both success and failure are obtained in most but not all experimental paradigms. Processes which may suppress or even reverse the self-serving effect were discussed. Most important, the examination of research in which self-serving effects are obtained suggested that these attributions are better understood in motivational than in information-processing terms.