Clinical relevance of the Marlowe-Crowne Scale: a review and recommendations

Research is reviewed which indicates the potential utility of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCS) in a variety of clinical assessment contexts. In relation to other assessment devices, the MCS has been used to enhance predictive accuracy of several scales, and has predicted defensive reactions to negative personality test feedback. Research is also reviewed regarding MCS relationships to self-disclosure, therapy process variables, premature termination from psychotherapy, and selection of subjects for psychotherapy research. The role of the MCS as a therapy outcome measure is also discussed. Scoring norms for normal and clinical groups are presented, including discussion of the effects of age, education and race on MCS scores. A number of avenues for future research with the MCS are described.