Studies On the Self Concepts as the Indices of the Adjustment By

Abstract

Two experiments were designed to verify the gross assumption that as an index of adjustment, it is necessary but insufficient to use the only discrepancy between present self and ideal self, and so we should simultaneously use the discrepancies between present self and subject's perception of self as perceived by significant others (his friends, mother and father). The first experiment aimed mainly to explore that each D score would be the sensitive index for any aspects of the malajustment. 55 college students were given Self-Differential scales for measurement of five kinds of self concepts i. e. present self concepts, ideal-self concept, friend's self concepts, mother's self concept and father's self concept, and then YATABE-GUILFORD PERSONALITY INVENTORY with twelve subtests for measurement of adjustment. Four discrepancy scores between present self and four other self concepts (ideal self, friend's self, mother's self and father's self) were computed within each subjects. They are referred to as DpI, Dr F, Dpm and DpFa,respectively. The latter three were the discrepancies between present self and the subject's notion of himself in his relation to his significant others. Each D score was related to Y. G. scores. The following results were found. a) All four D scores were proved to be the indices of emotional adjustment. b) DpF Dpm and DpFa, except Dp I were proved to be the indices of the social adjustment. c) When the high Dp F group was compared with low DPF group, statistically significant differences were found in seven subtests' scores of Y. G. inventory. This means that Dp p is the most effective index of adjustment. The second experiment was designed to compare schizophrenic patients with normal students for each D score. The findings were as follows: a) Dp I discriminated both groups sensitively in five of six factors of Self-Differential. b) Dp F a discriminated two groups in four factors. c) Dp p and Dp m were not so effective in discriminating two groups. d) With respect to Self Differential factors, three D scores (except Dp m) discriminated two groups in factor +T (volition and toughness) and factor IV (sensibility). e) Only Dp I discriminated in factor +V (sociability including introversion-extroversion) and in factor VI (intelligence). The following, therefore, can be concluded: a) Within a normal student group, all four D scores can be seen to be the indices of emotional adjustment. Three D scores, not including the Dpi, indices of social adjustment. Especially Dp F is the most effective. b) Dpi and Dp F a seem to be effective in comparing the normal with schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, the schizophrenic person tends to represent greater discrepancies on the aspects of his volition-toughness, sensibility in his phenomenal world than the normal. c) Finally it may be said that the predictability for the personal and social adjustment will be increased when we use not only Dp I but D scores reflecting the self-other context. © 1966, The Japanese Association of Educational Psychology. All rights reserved.