The Ability/Performance Dimension of Self-esteem: Implications for Women's Achievement Behavior

A 33-item measure, the Performance-Self-Esteem Scale (PSES), was developed to tap self-evaluations of ability and performance. Evidence from four samples of undergraduates (a total of 224 women and 236 men) indicate that the PSES measures a separate, distinct dimension of self-esteem. As predicted, undergraduate males scored higher on the scale than undergraduate women (p <.003), although this difference was significant for juniors and seniors only. Implications for research related to women's achievement-related behaviors and the college experience are considered.