Are Repressors Self-deceivers or Other-deceivers?

Abstract

Four groups were identified on the basis of high or low scores on trait anxiety and defensiveness obtained under standard conditions. They subsequently completed the same questionnaires under “bogus pipeline” conditions designed to elicit honest responding. Trait anxiety scores did not change significantly for any group between the two test conditions, suggesting that trait anxiety scores obtained under standard conditions are not subject to deliberate distortion. In contrast, defensiveness scores were significantly lower in all four groups under bogus pipeline conditions, especially for the repressor (low trait anxiety, high defensiveness) and defensive high-anxious (high trait anxiety, high defensiveness) groups. It was concluded that most repressors are self-deceivers, in terms of trait anxiety, rather than other-deceivers.