Analysis of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale as a Faceted Instrument

Abstract

The Tennessee Self-concept Scale is a two-faceted instrument, one of which is the internal modality of the self-concept and the other one is the self as an external referent. The smallest space analysis of the subscales intercorrelation matrix yielded a definite pattern replicated in 8 studies. The order of the subscales of the internal selves was Am, Act, Accept, and of the external selves was Physical, Social, Personal, Family, Moral/ethical. Psychological interpretations of the order are suggested, and possible effects of some particular features of the instrument are discussed.