The Eysenck Personality Inventory and Social Desirability Response Set with Student and Clinical Groups

Abstract

The EPI was administered to three student groups and to two clinical groups in studies allowing the investigation of Social Desirability(D) effects. Form A of the EPI and the Edwards D scale were completed by 100 students; Form A and the Crowne‐Marlowe D scale by 177 students; Form B and the Crowne‐Marlowe D scale by 175 students; and Form A, including the Lie (L) scale, by 38 potential renal transplant patients and 15 potential renal donors. Negative linear correlations between the Neuroticism (N) scale and the D or L scales were found for all groups. A very pronounced reduction in N scores was found with potential renal donors, together with high L scores. In most cases, no reliable correlation between Extraversion (E) and the D or L scales was found. The N and E scales were correlated negatively for Form B. Implications of these results for the use of the EPI are considered. Correlations with age and IQ were also obtained.

The Development of Defense Mechanisms

“…For both adults (Feather, 1967;Rump & Court, 1971) and children (Miller & Swanson, 1960) the measure of denial was negatively related to IQ score, suggesting that the use of denial is associated with lower levels of cognitive functioning.…”

Developmental Changes in Trait and Situational Denial Under Stress During Childhood

“…found that the understanding of denial showed a gradual increase across the age span, with the youngest children (5-7.5 years) showing significantly less understanding than the oldest children (10-14 years) and the intermediate group (7.5-10 years) also being intermediate on the understanding measure. Denial has been found to have a negative relationship with general IQmeasures for adults (Feather, 1967;Rump & Court, 1971) and children (Miller & Swanson, 1966). Dollinger, Staley and McGuire (1981) found that favorableness of trait ratings of fifth and sixth graders of a denying character were intermediate between a non-defensive character (most favorable) and a projecting character (least favorable).…”

“…Cognitive ability as reflected by IQtests is associated with defensive use. Denial has been found to have a negative relationship with general IQmeasures for adults (Feather, 1967;Rump & Court, 1971) and children (Miller & Swanson, 1966). These findings suggest that lower levels of denial usage are indeed associated with higher levels of cognitive functioning and vice versa.…”

Lie Score and Insight

“…In students (i.e. people of above average intelligence), Rump and Court (1971) found a significant negative correlation between Land I.Q. in men, but not in women.…”