Does choice of measure matter? Assessing the similarities and differences among self-control scales

- Three measures of self-control were strongly correlated.
- The Grasmick scale and Weinberger Adjustment Inventory are very similar.
- The Tangney scale is somewhat different than other self-control scales.
- Each self-control scale represents some uniqueness with other traits and antisocial outcomes.

PurposeTo assess the extent to which three well-validated measures of self-control are assessing the same construct.MethodsTwo student samples (ns = 315 and 172) completed multiple self-control scales (the Grasmick et al. scale, Weinberger Adjustment Inventory-Restraint, and the Tangney et al. scale), as well as other personality traits, aggression, and offending scales.ResultsThe three scales correlated highly with one another (rs ranged from 0.65-0.69) and rank-order differences were uncommon (approximately 80% were within 1 standard deviation). However, each scale demonstrated somewhat different patterns in terms of their relationships with other personality indices, aggression, and offending.ConclusionsThe Grasmick scale and Weinberger Adjustment Inventory were similar to one another in many (but not all) instances, and both were distinct from the Tangney scale. The three self-control scales used in this analysis have much in common, but they are not identical. Moreover, with the exception of the Tangney scale, the constructs assessed by the self-control scales are not synonymous with Conscientiousness or impulsivity. Care should be exercised in including these different self-control scales and similar constructs (e.g., impulsivity) within meta-analytic studies as effect sizes risk being misspecified.