The validity of self-perceptions regarding physical and athletic ability

High school males (N = 109) and junior high school males (N = 112) administered the Physical Estimation and Attraction Scales (PEAS), the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), and a physical fitness battery. Previous research results were replicated in the h.s. group in that fitness and self-esteem were not significantly related but Estimation (of physical ability) correlated significantly with both fitness and self-esteem (p less than .01). Similar results were obtained in the jr. h.s. sample. Additionally, the validity of the Estimation (EST) scale was extended to include significant relationships with indices of emotional adjustment other than self-esteem. EST scores were shown to be influenced to significant but not inordinate degree by certain response bias tendencies. Negatively phrased EST items were denied significantly more often than positive EST items were affirmed and were more highly related to both response bias and emotional adjustment scores. Controlling for response bias influence by partial correlation failed to extinguish the significance of EST validating relationships. It was concluded that these relationships exist independently of response style or response set.