The Repression-Sensitization scale as a measure of adjustment: Relationship with the CPI.

Abstract

The repression-sensitization dimension has been hypothesized to be associated with adjustment in a curvilinear fashion with both sensitizers and repressers showing more evidence of maladjustment than neutrals. The Repression-Sensitization (R-S) scale and the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) were administered to 91 college undergraduates and intercorrelated. Approximately half of the CPI scales yielded significant negative correlations with the R-S scale. Rather than the hypothesized curvilinear relationship, repressers appear to be the best adjusted of the 3, sensitizers the most maladjusted, while neutrals fall between the 2 defense groups. The 7 CPI scales which relate most consistently to repression-sensitization are Sociability, Sense of Weil-Being, Self-Control, Tolerance, Good Impression, Achievement via Conformance, and Intellectual Efficiency.

Is repression adaptive? Relationships to socioemotional adjustment, academic performance, and self-image.

“…The present finding that repressors have higher global real self-image scores than do intermediates is consistent with findings from past investigations (Byrne, 1961;Byrne et at., 1965;de Man, 1990;Shavit & Shou-Val, 1977). The two groups did not differ on measures of ideal self-image.…”

Automatic emotion regulation during anger provocation

“…More recently, repression has been examined empirically, and quantitative measures of repressive tendencies have been developed (e.g., Byrne, Golightly, & SheYeld, 1965;Erdelyi, 2001;Paulhus, Fridhandler, & Hayes, 1997;Weinberger, 1995). When tested in laboratory inductions of negative emotions such as stress or frustration, participants high in repression tend to report experiencing lesser negative emotion, but exhibit impaired cognitive and social skills, as well as greater physiological reactivity (e.g., Asendorpf & Scherer, 1983;Brosschot & Janssen, 1998;Schwartz, 1995;Weinberger, 1995).…”

Automatic Emotion Regulation

“…The correlates of repression have been examined with similar paradigms (e.g., Byrne, Golightly, & Sheffield, 1965; Erdelyi, 2001; Paulhus, Fridhandler, & Hayes, 1997; Weinberger, Schwartz, & Davidson, 1979; Weinberger, 1995). Studies indicate that participants high in repression generally tend not to recognize and label negative emotions (Lane, Sechrest, Riedel, Shapiro, & Kaszniak, 2000), and, when tested in laboratory emotion inductions, they tend to report experiencing less negative emotion.…”