TOWARDS THE INTERPRETATION OF CHILDREN'S LIE SCALE SCORES

It was hypothesised that, as a consequence of their differential experience of success, the groups would perceive the testing situation as representing different degrees of threat to them of which the correlation of the lie scale with the neuroticism scale might be a reflection.

Abstract

S ummary . The relationship between the JEPI lie scale and two measures of conformity was examined in groups of successful and unsuccessful boys in three secondary schools. The conformity measure in which the items made explicit reference to the need for compliant, approval‐seeking behaviour showed consistently positive relationships across all groups, while the implicit measure did not. It was hypothesised further that, as a consequence of their differential experience of success, the groups would perceive the testing situation as representing different degrees of threat to them of which the correlation of the lie scale with the neuroticism scale might be a reflection. The range of correlation coefficients obtained was discussed in the light of data derived from a study investigating the boys’ perception of their schools.