Measures of shame and conflict tactics: effects of questionnaire order

In the context of a theory of the intrapsychic dynamics of violent spousal relationships, in which abuse serves to replace shame with guilt, the effect of the order of presentation of questionnaires assessing shame, guilt, narcissism and conflict tactics was considered. Among 122 male and 133 female students, a shame score was significantly higher if the student had responded first to the Conflict Tactics Scale.