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Personality correlates of the Mosher Guilt Scales
Journal of Personality Assessment
|August 1, 1977
Summary
This study explored connections between different types of guilt (sex, hostility, morality-conscience) and personality needs. Findings support guilt as a significant personality variable, validating the Mosher Guilt Scales.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- The Mosher Guilt Scales measure specific dimensions of guilt.
- Understanding the relationship between guilt and personality traits is crucial for construct validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the construct validation of the Mosher Guilt Scales.
- To examine the relationship between sex guilt, hostility guilt, and morality-conscience guilt with personality needs.
Main Methods:
- Correlated scores from three guilt subscales with the 15 manifest needs from the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule.
- Utilized correlational analysis to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Found some overlap between guilt scores and manifest needs.
- Observed that associations were primarily due to theoretically consistent relationships, not construct overlap.
- Results support the distinctiveness of the guilt subscales.
Conclusions:
- The three guilt subscales of the Mosher Guilt Scales are supported for continued use.
- Guilt is a personality variable with significant theoretical importance.
- The study contributes to the construct validational work of guilt measurement.
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