Dale D. Simmons

Development of an Objective Measure of Identity Achievement Status

Summary A 24-item, objectively scorable scale for assessing identity achievement status (the IAS Scale) was developed through a modification of Marcias Ego Identity Incomplete Sentence Blank. The IAS Scale revealed a one week test-retest reliability coefficient of .76, was significantly related to interview based rating of identity crisis-plus-identity commitment, correlates positively with the n Endurance scale and negatively with the n Succorance scale of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, and is significantly related to 7 of 12 scales in Shostroms Personal Orientation Inventory. Discussion touches on future research use as well as the relationship of the identity construct to self-actualization.

Purpose-in-life and the three aspects of valuing

Correlated the Purpose-in-Life Test, designed to assess Frankls concept of existential vacuum, with other measures of valuing competence, fulfillment in valuing, and value system content (N = 99). Findings indicated that a sense of meaning in living is associated with a differential ability to make value judgments about the self but not about the external world, with present and anticipated future satisfaction but not with judged quality of past life, and with a relative emphasis upon responsible, intelectual self-control and de-emphasis upon being cheerful and pleasant. Implications are discussed.

Stability and Sharing of Value Norms among American University Student Cohorts in 1970, 1980, and 1990

Abstract To examine the stability of normative value profiles at one university in the western United States, a 100-item survey was administered to student cohorts in 1970, 1980, and 1990. The findings revealed a striking continuation of the normative value profile from decade to decade (rs = .95 and .97), with a high level of agreement between men and women in each cohort (rs = .94, .96, and .95). In addition, the average correlation of individuals with the group norm (rs = .63, .63, and .61 at succeeding decades) suggested considerable sharing of the normative profile. Values themselves also seemed to become more important to these students, as overall ratings of values increased from decade to decade. Although statistically significant changes occurred across decades in the average ratings for individual values, caution is encouraged in interpreting such changes as an indication of instability of normative values.

Measuring personal values that are specific to eating: Reliability, factors, and eating pattern correlates

Eating disorders, particularly weight control disorders, appear resistant to long-term modification. While personal values have been shown to influence long-term behavior, their influence on eating patterns has not been studied because of the lack of an instrument to measure those values that are specific to eating. The Eating Values Survey (EVS) was created to measure priorities given to 21 eating-related values, such as sensory qualities of food, the experience of hunger, socializing with others, body appearance, nutritional contribution to health, etc. Responses of 109 male and 99 female university students to the EVS were found stable over a 2-week period and revealed five factors, identified as Gusto, Easy Necessity, Orderliness, Gourmet, and Social Approval. EVS scores also correlated significantly with such self-reported eating disorder variables as being overweight and self-induced vomiting. Sex differences in eating values appeared matters of emphasis rather than of distinction.

Measurement of values expression in sports and athletics

Research on psychological variables involved in sport has emphasized personality traits and attitudes. This report introduces an instrument for measuring the role of personal values in sport. The Survey of Values in Sport assesses the priority given to 14 sport-related values, e.g., energy release, winning, expressing feelings, group coordination, and maintaining good health. The value priorities among university students for their “favorite sport” were reasonably reliable (2-wk. retest correlations averaged .65); a factor analysis yielded five factors: Achievement, Exercise in a Pleasant Setting, Sociability, Good Health, and Self-fulfillment. In a comparison of two female teams, gymnastics and volleyball, seven of the fourteen values significantly discriminated the two groups—rather notable for samples of 8 and 13 members, respectively.

Dietary Restraint As Values-Related Motivation: A Psychometric Clarification

Psychological motivation toward dietary restraint can be measured by Cognitive Restraint, a subscale on the Three-factor Questionnaire (TFQ; Stunkard & Messick, 1985), and Drive for Thinness, a subscale on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI; Garner & Olmstead, 1984). On the basis of data obtained from American undergraduates, these two scales correlated significantly (r = .55); three value scales on the Eating Values Survey (EVS; Simmons, 1989) also correlated significantly with both Cognitive Restraint and Drive for Thinness (Appearance and Manners positively, Enthusiasm negatively). Correlations of other TFQ and EDI scales with values were minimal. Personal values specific to eating are discussed as components of a general motivational orientation toward self-management of eating but as relatively unrelated to such disruptive attributes of eating behavior as disinhibition or bulimia.

Is There Compassion in Principled Moral Judgment

Principled moral judgment, as measured by Rests (1974) P-score, was not significantly associated with Purpose-in-Life Test scores but was significantly associated with placement at higher priority of the Rokeach Survey values of Mature Love and being Capable, Imaginative, and Logical and with placement at lower priority of a World at Peace and being Clean, Obedient, and Polite. The P-score was not significantly related to being Broadminded, Courageous, Forgiving, Helpful, Loving, or Responsible, suggesting that compassion is not a necessary consequence of principled moral reasoning. Subjects were 51 college men and 48 women.

FURTHER PSYCHOMETRIC CORRELATES OF THE IDENTITY ACHIEVEMENT SCALE

Previous studies of the Identity Achievement Scale (6, 7) have shown a significant relationship of scores and interview-based measures of identity crisis and commitment, modest correlations wirh measures of self-actualization and need endurance, as well as an associarion with self-ratings of productive and self-disciplined personal functioning. Because identity status, as conceived by Erikson (3), is also theoretically associated with social integration, a preparation for the development of intimacy, and the presence of flexible, adaptive approaches to functioning it was predicted that scores on the scale would be significantly related to six psychometric measures of these dimensions. Scale scores should correlate significantly and negatively wirh the Anomie scale (8), negatively with the Mach 1V scale measuring exploitative tendencies (I), negatively with the Yeasaying response set scale (2) and Eysencks Neuroticism Scale, positively wirh the Self-disclosure scale (4) and internality on [he Locus of Control scale (5). Scales were administered to 98 males and 100 females In general psychology at Oregon State University.

PERSONAL VALUES AND EYSENCK'S TWO BASIC PERSONALITY FACTORS

To explore the reformulation of traits as personal values the 100 different personal value statements in the Simmons Value Survey were correlated with each of Eysencks factor analytically defined traits, Extraversion-Introversion and Neuroticism-Stability. The results provided little support for a reformulation of Neuroticism as a value orientation. However, significant positive (albeit low magnitude) correlations between 22 specific personal value statements and the Extraversion trait suggested that this trait might be viewed as a value-affirming position. A rational classification of the 22 values suggests the possible nature of Extraversion as a reformulated value orientation.

Informant impressions of retardate personality: reliability with extraversion, emotionality, toughmindedness

Abstract To assess extraversion, emotionality and toughmindedness among retarded persons with limited linguistic skills the 18-item Personal Reactions and Habits Questionnaire (PRHQ) was created. The responses of 2 interviewed informants, each well acquainted with a target person, are summed to obtain scores for each of the personality factors identified by Eysenck and Eysenck (1975). To establish the reliability of this procedure 4 interviewers inquired of 35 informants about a total of 54 target S s of a wide range of mental retardation and living variously in the natural home, a group home or in a large state-operated institution. One-week test-retest reliability coefficients, e.g. r =0.93 for Extraversion, r =0.86 for Emotionality and r =0.92 for Toughmindedness, suggest the PRHQ to be a promising instrument for research on personality of S s unable to provide self-reports. The possible use of the PRHQ to assess concordance of self-reports with personality impressions of others is also discussed.