Joseph S. Karmos

CONSTRUCT VALIDITY ANALYSES OF A "NONVERBAL" MEASURE OF SELF-ESTEEM: THE SLIDING PERSON TEST

This study investigated construct validity for a “nonverbal” measure of self-esteem, the Sliding Person Test (SPERT). Seven personality measures and an intelligence test were administered to 202 college students. A test-retest reliability coefficient of .82 was obtained (N = 45). Correlations between scores on SPERT and social desirability, anxiety, and IQ indicated sufficiently low overlap with these variables. Minimal evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was established. Linear and curvilinear relationships between scores for SPERT and social and emotional adjustment, respectively, were contrary to expectations but similar to those of previous studies. Expected differences between students high and low in self-acceptance with large SPERT discrepancies support other literature which suggests that large self-ideal discrepancies are associated with better adjustment and lower anxiety for highly self-accepting people.

An instrument to assess adolescent alcohol involvement

This study was the beginning of a validation process for the Presley Adolescent Alcohol Scale (PAAS). The instrument is intended for youth of ages 11 to 24 and involves six subscales: Quantity and Frequency of Use, School Functioning, Family Functioning, Social Functioning, Driving and Legal Functioning, Physical and Psychological Functioning. Items identify Use, Misuse, Problematic Use, and Dependency. Three groups of students in Southern Illinois were used (N = 216): high school students in grades 7 to 12 (N = 51), undergraduate students at Southern Illinois University (N = 129), and patients at an adolescent alcohol inpatient treatment center (N = 36). ANOVA showed a significant difference between these three groups (p < .0001). In general, results from the study supported initial validity and reliability for the PAAS.

Innovations: A Note of Caution

One striking similarity to be found in the case his tories of many field innovations is the absence of a comprehensive plan for implementation. The au thors present guidelines and suggestions for educa tors who wish to implement and maintain innova tive programs.

A Study of Egocentrism and Popularity

The primary purpose of this research was to investigate egocentrism and the relationship between egocentrism and popularity in grades 1 through 5. More than 200 students participated in the study. Teachers’ ability to rate students’ popularity was studied, and sex differences for egocentrism scores were also examined. Egocentrism was measured by a test based on work done by Jean Piaget, and popularity was defined by a teacher’s rating scale and by a sociometric instrument completed by students. The results showed: (1) egocentrism decreasing with age; (2) a strong relationship between egocentrism and popularity at grade 5; (3) teachers’ ratings of popularity and sociometric scores as highly related; and (4) males less egocentric than females at every grade level.