Self Concept and

UNIT 4 SELF CONCEPT AND SELF RATING Self Rating Test

TEST
Structure
4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Self Concept Tests and Self Rating Tests
4.2.1 Adjective Check List Test
4.2.2 Q Sort Test
4.2.3 Tests by Indian Authors
4.3 Guidelines for Administering the Tests and Nurses’ Responsibility
4.4 Let Us Sum Up
4.5 Further Readings

4.0 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you should be able to:

l define and explain concept of self-concept;

l appreciate the utility of self-rating scales;

l describe the self-rating scales available; and

l administer self-concept scales to self and others and interpret them.

4.1 INTRODUCTION
‘Self-concept’ is one of the most important aspect of the individual’s subjective world. In
simple words it is the view s/he has of her/himself, often referred as self-image. The self-
concept consists of all the ideas, perceptions and values that surround ‘I’ or ‘ME’. The
self-concept is what the person thinks he is, regardless of the actual nature or his
appearance to other.

There are two types of self’s : one socially perceived and other personally perceived.
Socially perceived self is what an individual thinks other perceives him as and personally
perceived self is how the individual perceives himself as. Individual who have both
socially and personally perceived self-rated at an equal level are realistic and have
accurate understanding of self. Whereas high socially perceived self is an indication of
superiority complex and low personally perceived self indicate inferiority complex.
According to Freud, every individual evaluates every experience in relation to his self-
concept. Experience and feelings that are not consistent are threatening and may be
denied admittance to consciousness and hence denied. More the areas of experience one
has to deny because they are not consistent with one’s self-concept, leading to wider
the gap between self and reality, greater is the potential for anxiety. If the incongruence
becomes too great, it may result in severe anxiety or other form of emotional disturbance.

The well-adjusted person has a self-concept that is consistent with thoughts,

experiences and behaviour.

There is another self in Roger’s theory, and that is the ‘ideal self’. It is a conception of
the kind of person we would like to be. The close the ideal self is to the real self, the
more fulfilled and happy the individual is. A large gap between the two results in an
unhappy dissatisfied individual.
27
Practical Manual—Behavioural
Sciences
4.2 SELF CONCEPT TESTS AND SELF-RATING
TESTS
A number of personality assessment tests have concentrated on the way individual
views himself and others. Besides these personality assessments, there are inventories
to study the level of self-concept. There are self-rating inventories; there are
questionnaires to measure self-concept.

4.2.1 Adjective Check List

There are several tests devised to rate the self-concept of an individual. One such test is
Adjective Check List prepared by Gough. In this test, the subject is presented with a list
of 300 common adjectives, arranged alphabetically from ‘absent minded’ to ‘zany’ and, is
instructed to check all those he considers to be description of himself.

4.2.2 Q-Sort Test

This technique is developed by Stephenson. In this the subject is given a set of cards
containing statements or trait names, which he must sort into piles ranging from ‘most
characteristic’ to ‘least characteristic’ of himself. To ensure uniform distribution of
rating, the subject is instructed to place a specified number of cards in each pile.

Q Sort is employed to study variety of psychological problems. The subject is often

asked to resort the same set of items within different frames of references. For example,
he may sort the items as they apply to himself and to other persons, such as his father,
mother or his wife. Similarly, he may sort the items as they apply to himself in different
settings such as job, home or social situations.

Q Sort can likewise be applied for the individuals as he believed he actually is, as he
believed others see him, and as he would like to be. Q Sort can be applied at different
stages of treatment to observe changes.

Q technique represents a systematic study of self-rating. It is a good method for both

psychological research and practice.

Most of the personality tests are nothing but self-rating scales, where an individual
assesses himself on various items.

There are many tests developed by Indian authors to measure the self-concept.

1) Personality Differential Scale by Aggarwal

It is a measure of self-concept. It has both short as well as full scale, the test is
available both in Hindi and English.

2) Self Concept List Rating Scale by Pratibha Rao

It contains 90 adjectives, which reveals the self-concept in the areas of intelligence,

emotion, social, character and aesthetics. It is the revised form of old personality
word list. This test is available both in English and Hindi. There is another test by
Pratibha Rao namely Self-concept checklist method. It contains 212 adjectives,
which cover almost all the important aspects of personality.

3) Self Concept Questionnaire (Hindi/English) by Saraswati

It measures self-concept in six areas–physical, social, temperamental, educational,

moral and intellectual of school going childrens.

4) Childrens Self Concept Scale by Ahluwalia

It contains 80 items and measures self-concept in six areas–behaviour, intellectual

and school status, physical appearances and attributes, anxiety, popularity and
28 happiness and satisfaction.
There are many more tests, which measure self-concept, self-perception, self-acceptance Self Concept and
Self Rating Test
and self-disclosure. Most of these tests are self-rating scales and are designed to assess
self-confidence, self-perception and self-acceptance.

4.3 GUIDELINES FOR ADMINISTERING THE TESTS

AND NURSES RESPONSIBILITY
While administering the self-concept test it is essential to make the client feel relaxed
and comfortable. He should be motivated to put forth his maximum efforts on the
test. It is observed that test anxiety interfere with test performance, effort should be
made to reduce test anxiety and to establish rapport. There is also a risk of ‘faking
good’. In faking good the subject responses in a manner to appear in more
favourable light. To avoid this, client should be explained that there are no good or
bad answers.

Confidentiality of the result should be assured to the client to get fair responses.

Nurse can administer these tests with proper training by a professional. These tests can
be given both in individual and group settings. Working with the client as attending
nurse, gives her enough opportunity to develop rapport and create a favourable test-
taking atmosphere. Scoring and interpretation of these tests has to be done using the
manual provided with the testing booklet.

Activity

A test on self concept by Dr. N.K. Chadha is given in this unit. To understand the
method of administration, scoring and interpretation of the test, you are advised to take
the test yourself and then administer the test to at least five individuals.

About the test

The self-concept scale has been devised by Dr. Chadha. The test constitutes of 60
identical items in part I and Part II with different set of instructions for each set.

Instructions

The following instructions are given: “This test is divided into two parts, part I and part
II. Each part contains 60 adjectives. The exact meaning of each adjective has been
brought out by means of an explanation that follow it. Use each adjective one by one, in
the sentence “I AM A (AN)… Person” (Part I) and “I WOULD LIKE TO BE A (AN) ….
Person” (Part II). Indicate on the given four point scale which describe you most
satisfactory. The four point rating scale is: A means Agree; D means Disagree; NS
means Not Sure; and NA means Not Applicable.”

Scoring and Interpretation

The person who marks A will get a score of 3; who marks D will get a score of 2;
who marks NS will get a score of 1; and who marks NA will get a score of 0. An
individual who has taken both the parts of the inventory will have two scores one
for the PERCEIVED SELF and the other for the IDEAL SELF, Thus, there will be three
possibilities; (i) the individual who scores high on Part I and low on Part II is termed
as having High Positive Perceived self; (ii) the individual who scores low on Part I
and high on part II, is termed as having High Positive Ideals Self; and (iii) if no
difference between the part I and part II score he is termed as having balanced Self
Concept.

29
Practical Manual—Behavioural Chadha Self Concept Scale
Sciences
Name …................................................................. Age …..................................................................

Date ….................................................... Sex …...................... Class …............................................

School/College …………………………….........................................................................................

Your Order of Birth: Only Child/First/Second/Third/Fourth/Fifth/Sixth/Seventh/Last

Socio-economic Status of Your Family: Poor/Below Average/Average/Good/ Excellent

Education of your Father : ………………….....................................................................................

Education of your Mother : ……………...........................................................................................

Instructions of Part-I: This part contains a list of 60 adjectives. The exact meaning of
each adjective has been brought out by means of an explanation that follow it. Use each
adjective, one by one, in the sentence. “I am a (AN)…. Person” and indicate on the
given four point scale which column describes you most satisfactorily.

The four point Rating Scale is:

A means Agree
D means Disagree
NS means Not Sure
NA means Not Applicable

Example:

Irritable: One who gets easily annoyed.

“I am an Irritable Person”. Now think over this sentence and determine which column
describe you most satisfactorily in terms of “I am an Irritable person”. If you feel that
you disagree with the above sentence, then mark tick (Ö ) on the D and so on.

I am an Irritable person A D NS NA

Please do not Leave any Question Unanswered

1) Suspicious:

One who is of doubtful nature A D NS NA

2) Assertive:

One who asserts oneself A D NS NA

3) Intelligent:

One who has quick grasp of things A D NS NA

4) Realistic:

One who judges the pros and cons of a thing before

coming to a decision. A D NS NA

5) Awkard:

One who has odd behaviour A D NS NA

6) Emotional:

One who takes a thing to heart A D NS NA

7) Sentimental Mind:

Person of whimsical mind/temperament A D NS NA

30
8) Conventional: Self Concept and
Self Rating Test
Person going by the tradition/an orthodox person A D NS NA

9) Excitable:

One who can easily be made to act violently A D NS NA

10) Inflexible:

One who is very rigid in behaviour A D NS NA

11) Hostile:

One who is ready to show enmity A D NS NA

12) Obstructive:

One who puts obstacle while others went to work A D NS NA

13) Timid:

A person of cowardly nature A D NS NA

14) Tough:

A strong wiled person A D NS NA

15) Lethargic:

A lazy person A D NS NA

16) Trustful:

A dependable person A D NS NA

17) Stupid:

A foolish person A D NS NA

18) Unrelective

One who does not ponder over anything A D NS NA

19) Languid:

One who is spiritless A D NS NA

20) Alert:

One who is a vigilant person A D NS NA

21) Worrying:

One who is often ill at ease by nature A D NS NA

22) Submissive:

One who can easily yield to authority A D NS NA

23) Persevering:

One who can continue his work steadfastly A D NS NA

24) Phlegmatic:

One who does not get easily agitated A D NS NA

25) Demanding:

One who authoritatively asks for something A D NS NA

31
Practical Manual—Behavioural 26) Deliberate:
Sciences
One who does something intentionally A D NS NA

27) Spirited:

One who is full of life A D NS NA

28) Thankless:

One who does not feel obliged for being favoured A D NS NA

29) Hard-hearted:

A cruel person A D NS NA

30) Honest:

One who is upright in one’s dealings A D NS NA

31) Unpredictable:

A person whose behaviour cannot be foretold A D NS NA

32) Independent:

A person who acts according to his own conscience A D NS NA

33) Imaginative:

One who possess creative faculty of mind A D NS NA

34) Modest:

One who does not over-rate one’s own merit A D NS NA

35) Self-distrustful:

One who has no confidence in one’s own A D NS NA

36) Pessimistic:

One who looks on the dark side of things A D NS NA

37) Shy:

A person of hesitant nature A D NS NA

38) Relaxed:

One who does everything without getting agitated A D NS NA

39) Conscientious:

A person who acts according to the distated of his self A D NS NA

40) Aloof:

One who does not like to be in company A D NS NA

41) Seclusive:

A person who wants to be lonely to ponder over things A D NS NA

42) Uninquiring:

One who does not unnecessarily suspect things A D NS NA

43) Self-deceiving:

One who acts contrary to his conscience under

32 misconceptions A D NS NA
44) Infantile: Self Concept and
Self Rating Test
One who shows childishness A D NS NA

45) Reckless:

One who is rash in one’s actions A D NS NA

46) Loyal:

One who is faithful to his duty A D NS NA

47) Frank:

One who is candid in one’s behaviour A D NS NA

48) Confused:

One who has no clear thinking A D NS NA

49) Unprincipled:

One who is not retrained by conscience A D NS NA

50) Grateful:

One who feels obliged for some favour done to him A D NS NA

51) Adventurous:

One who is ready to incur risk A D NS NA

52) Self-assured:

One who is obstinate by nature A D NS NA

53) Idealistic:

One who believes in perfection in every action A D NS NA

54) Bold:

A courageous person in thought and action A D NS NA

55) Cooperative:

A person of helpful nature A D NS NA

56) Malicious:

A person who possess a desire to harm others A D NS NA

57) Cynical:

One who is doubtful about human goodness A D NS NA

58) Not-bothering:

One who does not care much for a gain or loss A D NS NA

59) Absent-minded:

One who is in-attentive to surroundings A D NS NA

60) One who can perceive things by simple apprehension A D NS NA

Thanks
Instructions of Part-II: This part contains a list of 60 adjectives. The meaning of each
adjective has been brought out by means of an explanation that follow it. Use each
adjective, one by one, in the sentence “I would like to be a (AN).... Person” and indicate
on the given four point scale which column describe you most satisfactorily. 33
Practical Manual—Behavioural The four points Rating Scale is:
Sciences
A means Agree

D means Disagree

NS means Not Sure

NA means Not Applicable

Example

Neurotic (a person/of hypersensitive nature)

“I would like to be a Neurotic person”. Now think over this sentence and determine
which column describe you most satisfactorily in terms of “I would like to be a Neurotic
Person”. If you feel that you agree with the above sentence, than mark tick (Ö ) on the
A and so on.

I would like to be a Neurotic Person A D NS NA

Please do not Leave any Question Unanswered

1) Suspicious:

One who is of doubtful nature A D NS NA

2) Assertive:

One who asserts onself A D NS NA

3) Intelligent:

One who has quick grasp of things A D NS NA

4) Realistic:

One who judges the pros and cons of a thing before

coming to a decision. A D NS NA

5) Awkard:

One who has odd behaviour A D NS NA

6) Emotional:

One who takes a thing to heart A D NS NA

7) Sentimental Mind:

Person of whimsical mind/temperament A D NS NA

8) Conventional:

Person going by the, tradition/an orthodox person A D NS NA

9) Excitable:

One who can easily be made to act violently A D NS NA

10) Inflexible:

One who is very rigid in behaviour A D NS NA

11) Hostile:

One who is ready to show enmity A D NS NA

12) Obstructive:

34 One who puts obstacles while others went to work A D NS NA

13) Lethargic: Self Concept and
Self Rating Test
A lazy person A D NS NA

14) Timid:

A person of cowardly nature A D NS NA

15) Tough:

A strong willed person A D NS NA

16) Trustful:

A dependable person A D NS NA

17) Stupid:

A foolish person A D NS NA

18) Unrelective:

One who does not ponder over anything A D NS NA

19) Languid:

One who is spiritless A D NS NA

20) Alert:

One who is a vigilant person A D NS NA

21) Worrying:

One who is often ill at ease by nature A D NS NA

22) Submissive:

One who can easily yield to authority A D NS NA

23) Persevering:

One who can continue his work steadfastly A D NS NA

24) Phlegmatic:

One who does not get easily agitated A D NS NA

25) Demanding:

One who authoritatively asks for something A D NS NA

26) Deliberate:

One who does something intentionally A D NS NA

27) Spirited:

One who is full of life A D NS NA

28) Thankless:

One who does not feel obliged for being favoured A D NS NA

29) Hard-hearted:

A cruel person A D NS NA

30) Honest:

One who is upright in one’s dealings A D NS NA

35
Practical Manual—Behavioural 31) Unpredictable:
Sciences
A person whose behaviour cannot be foretold A D NS NA

32) Independent:

A person who acts according to his own conscience A D NS NA

33) Imaginative:

One who possess creative faculty of mind A D NS NA

34) Modest:

One who does not over-rate one’s own merit A D NS NA

35) Self-distrustful:

One who has no confidence in one’s own A D NS NA

36) Pessimistic:

One who looks on the dark side of things A D NS NA

37) Shy:

A person of hesitant nature A D NS NA

38) Relaxed:

One who does everything without getting agitated A D NS NA

39) Conscientious:

A person who acts according to the distated of his self A D NS NA

40) Aloof:

One who does not like to be in company A D NS NA

41) Seclusive:

A person who wants to be lonely to ponder over things A D NS NA

42) Uninquiring:

One who does not unnecessarily suspect things A D NS NA

43) Self-deceiving:

One who acts contrary to his conscience under

misconceptions A D NS NA

44) Infantile:

One who shows childishness A D NS NA

45) Reckless:

One who is rash in one’s actions A D NS NA

46) Loyal:

One who is faithful to his duty A D NS NA

47) Frank:

One who is candid in one’s behaviour A D NS NA

48) Confused:

36 One who has no clear thinking A D NS NA

49) Unprincipled: Self Concept and
Self Rating Test
One who is not retrained by conscience A D NS NA

50) Grateful:

One who feels obliged for some favour done to him A D NS NA

51) Adventurous:

One who is ready to incur risk A D NS NA

52) Self-assured:

One who is obstinate by nature A D NS NA

53) Idealistic:
One who believes in perfection in every action A D NS NA
54) Bold:
A courageous person in thought and action A D NS NA
55) Cooperative:
A person of helpful nature A D NS NA
56) Malicious:
A person who possess a desire to harm others A D NS NA
57) Cynical:
One who is doubtful about human goodness A D NS NA
58) Not-bothering:
One who does not care much for a gain or loss A D NS NA
59) Absent-minded:
One who is in-attentive to surroundings A D NS NA
60) Intuitive:
One who can perceive things by simple apprehension A D NS NA

4.4 LET US SUM UP

The present unit was developed to the lists available for measuring self-concept. Most
of those tests are nothing but self-rating inventories and need to be answered by
subjects. Measurement of self-concept is essential to understand the emotional and
psychological disorder, the client is suffering. It also helps in identifying the underlying
causes on certain deviant behaviours. Measurement of self-concept helps in directing
the line of treatment for the client.

There are tests by foreign authors. Q Sort and adjective 2 check list are widely used
inventories. Indian authors have also developed many inventories to measure self-
concept for Indian population.

4.5 FURTHER READINGS

Anastasi, Anne (1982), Psychological Testing, 5th edn., The Macmillan Company, NY.

Cronbach, L. (1949), Essential of Psychological Testing, Harper, NY.

Eyesenck, H. J. (1970), The Structure of Human Personality, Methuen, London.

37
Practical Manual—Behavioural Freeman, S. Frank (1965), Theory and Practice of Psychological Testing, 3rd edn., Oxford
Sciences
and IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi.

Gulliksen, H. (1950), Theory of Mental Test, Wiley, NY.

Gough, H. J. and Heilbrun, A.B. (1980), The Adjective Checklist Manual, 1980 edition,
Palo Alto, C.A.: Consulting Psychologist Press.

Morgan, T. Clifford; King, A. Richard; Weisz, R. John and Schopler John (1997),
Introduction to Psychology, 7th edn., Tata Mc Graw Hill, New Delhi.

Richards, T. (1948), Modern Clinical Psychology, MC Graw Hill, NY.

Rogers, C. (1942), Counseling and Psychotherapy, Houghton, Miffin, NY.

38