An Individual Differences Measure of Attributive and Repudiative Tactics of Favorable Self-Presentation

Abstract

Using a new measure of the tendency to present oneself in an unrealistically positive way, the Self-Presentation Scale (SPS), the present study examined the validity of two different tactics for presenting a favorable self-image. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that individual differences in the use of an attributive tactic, the tendency to attribute positive characteristics to the self, were correlated with, but distinct from, individual differences in the use of a repudiative tactic, which is the tendency to deny the presence of negative characteristics of the self. Scores on both tactics were highly correlated with the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and both tactic subscales were positively correlated with self-reported self-esteem and negatively correlated with depression. However, only the repudiative tactic scores were found to be associated with self-consciousness and social anxiety scores, and only the attributive tactic scores were correlated with self-report measures of self-monitoring skills. The advantages of the SPS over other measures of favorable self-presentation (or socially desirable responding) are discussed.