Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries

Author(s): Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., Lehman, D. R.

Journal/Book: J Personal Soc Psychol. 1996; 70: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 141-156.

Abstract: Self-concept clarity (SCC) references a structural aspect of the self-concept: the extent to which self-beliefs are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and stable. This article reports the SCC Scale and examines (a) its correlations with self-esteem (SE), the Big Five dimensions, and self-focused attention (Study 1); (b) its criterion validity (Study 2); and(c)its cultural boundaries (Study 3). Low SCC was independently associated with high Neuroticism, low SE, low Conscientiousness, low Agreeableness, chronic self-analysis, low internal state awareness, and a ruminative form of self-focused attention. The SCC Scale predicted unique variance in 2 external criteria: the stability and consistency of self-descriptions. Consistent with theory on Eastern and Western self-construals, Japanese participants exhibited lower levels of SCC and lower correlations between SCC and SE than did Canadian participants.

Note: Review JD Campbell, Univ British Columbia, Dept Psychol, 2136 W Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Keyword(s): FOCUSED ATTENTION; 5-FACTOR MODEL; CONSCIOUSNESS SCALES; NEGATIVE AFFECTIVITY; UNITED-STATES; FACET SCALES; ESTEEM; PRIVATE; COMPLEXITY; EXPERIENCE

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