PsychologicalReports, 1992, 70, 562.
O Psychological Reports 1992
A MEASURE O F OVERT SELF-CRITICISM: VALIDATION AND CORRELATES ' THEODORE A. POWERS
AND
DAVID C. ZUROFF
McGill University
Haward University Medical School
Summary.-A measure of overt self-criticism was constructed and validated for 38 high and low scorers out of 300 undergraduates, using reports by knowledgeable others. Self-criticism is a pervasive phenomenon featured in a number of psychological disorders, with depression being the most prominent. Most research on self-criticism has focused on the private cognitive events associated with self-reproach. The measure described here was an attempt to begin the study of overt self-criticism and those who engage in it. The overt self-criticism scale was a seven-item scale which asked subjects to report on their tendencies to make overt, negative, self-evaluative comments in the presence of others.' A sample item is, "I tend to make fun of myself in public." Approximately 300 undergraduates were administered the scale and 38 subjects scoring either high or low (i.e., one SD above or below the mean) were chosen to participate in the study. Mean scores for men and women did not differ. Cronbach's alpha was .90. Two weeks later these subjects completed a series of measures indudmg self-report measures of overt and covert self-criticism in specific situations, self-esteem, and social desirability. A version of the scale written in the third person was prepared to permit knowledgeable others to describe the subjects' levels of overt self-criticism. Subjects were asked to give this form to two people who knew them well. Data were obtained from significant others for 80% of the subjects. Compared to nonself-critics, subjects (n = 22) who had scored high on the overt self-criticism scale: (a) were viewed as significantly more self-critical by those who knew them well, (b) reported significantly higher levels of both overt and covert self-criticism across a variety of contexts, (c) reported significantly lower self-esteem, and (d) presented themselves in a significantly less socially desirable light. These results show that a simple seven-item self-report measure can discriminate between those individuals. who tend to be overtly self-critical and those who do not. A second study indicated that 24 subiects identified as high self-critics e h b i t e d more overt self-criticism in a laboratory situation than did 24 low s&-critics. In a third study of 48 undergraduates, overt self-criticism evoked a complex reaction from others including elements of both support and denigration (1). It is hoped chat this measure will facilitate research into this interesting and important field of inquiry. REFERENCE 1.
POWERS,T. A,, & ZUROFF,D. C. (1988) Interpersonal consequences of overt self-criticism: a comparison with neutral and self-enhancing presentations of self. Journal of Persowlily and Social Psychology, 54, 1054-1062.
Accepted March 17, 1992.
'The scale items, sychometric data, and a more detailed account of the study may be obtained from D. C. ~uroPfat the De artment of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Ave., Montreal, Quebec, cana& H3A 1B1.
O Psychological Reports 1992
A MEASURE O F OVERT SELF-CRITICISM: VALIDATION AND CORRELATES ' THEODORE A. POWERS
AND
DAVID C. ZUROFF
McGill University
Haward University Medical School
Summary.-A measure of overt self-criticism was constructed and validated for 38 high and low scorers out of 300 undergraduates, using reports by knowledgeable others. Self-criticism is a pervasive phenomenon featured in a number of psychological disorders, with depression being the most prominent. Most research on self-criticism has focused on the private cognitive events associated with self-reproach. The measure described here was an attempt to begin the study of overt self-criticism and those who engage in it. The overt self-criticism scale was a seven-item scale which asked subjects to report on their tendencies to make overt, negative, self-evaluative comments in the presence of others.' A sample item is, "I tend to make fun of myself in public." Approximately 300 undergraduates were administered the scale and 38 subjects scoring either high or low (i.e., one SD above or below the mean) were chosen to participate in the study. Mean scores for men and women did not differ. Cronbach's alpha was .90. Two weeks later these subjects completed a series of measures indudmg self-report measures of overt and covert self-criticism in specific situations, self-esteem, and social desirability. A version of the scale written in the third person was prepared to permit knowledgeable others to describe the subjects' levels of overt self-criticism. Subjects were asked to give this form to two people who knew them well. Data were obtained from significant others for 80% of the subjects. Compared to nonself-critics, subjects (n = 22) who had scored high on the overt self-criticism scale: (a) were viewed as significantly more self-critical by those who knew them well, (b) reported significantly higher levels of both overt and covert self-criticism across a variety of contexts, (c) reported significantly lower self-esteem, and (d) presented themselves in a significantly less socially desirable light. These results show that a simple seven-item self-report measure can discriminate between those individuals. who tend to be overtly self-critical and those who do not. A second study indicated that 24 subiects identified as high self-critics e h b i t e d more overt self-criticism in a laboratory situation than did 24 low s&-critics. In a third study of 48 undergraduates, overt self-criticism evoked a complex reaction from others including elements of both support and denigration (1). It is hoped chat this measure will facilitate research into this interesting and important field of inquiry. REFERENCE 1.
POWERS,T. A,, & ZUROFF,D. C. (1988) Interpersonal consequences of overt self-criticism: a comparison with neutral and self-enhancing presentations of self. Journal of Persowlily and Social Psychology, 54, 1054-1062.
Accepted March 17, 1992.
'The scale items, sychometric data, and a more detailed account of the study may be obtained from D. C. ~uroPfat the De artment of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Ave., Montreal, Quebec, cana& H3A 1B1.
