Development and Validation of the Efficacious Self-Presentation Scale

ABSTRACT

A new self-report measure of adolescent's self-presentation is described. The self-report scale was administered to 760 16–19-year-old subjects. Results of a factor analysis supported 6 identifiable factors reflecting different concepts, theoretically discussed, related to self-presentation: ability to regulate self-image, social sensitivity, body self-confidence, social self-confidence, social openness, and social desirability. The scale showed good convergent validity and internal consistency. Assertive tactics were predicted through ability to regulate self-image, social self-confidence, and social openness, whereas defensive tactics were predicted only through social openness and social sensitivity. The implications of the findings for future theoretical and empirical development of research in this field are discussed.

Keywords:

• self-monitoring
• self-presentation
• social influence
• social openness
• social sensitivity

AUTHOR NOTES

Fiorenzo Laghi is an assistant professor of developmental psychology at the University of Rome “la Sapienza.” His research interests are scholastic guidance and metacognitive and social cognitive development. Susanna Pallini is an assistant professor of developmental psychology in the Department of Educational Science, University of Rome Tre. Her research interests focus on child and adolescence attachment, and educational psychology. Maria D’Alessio was a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Rome “la Sapienza.” Her primary research interests were the social representation of childhood, implicit theory of development, and children's understanding of television and TV advertising. Roberto Baiocco is an assistant professor of developmental psychology at the University of Rome “la Sapienza.” His primary research interest is the role of early social experience and parenting in children's socioemotional and personality development.