The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children

Abstract

A new pictorial scale of perceived competence and social acceptance for young children, a downward extension of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children, is described. There are 2 versions of this instrument, 1 for preschoolers and kindergartners and a second for first and second graders, each tapping 4 domains: cognitive competence, physical competence, peer acceptance, and maternal acceptance. Factor analyses reveal a 2-factor solution. The first factor, general competence, is defined by the cognitive and physical competence subscales. The second factor, social acceptance, comprises the peer and maternal acceptance subscales. The psychometric properties were found to be acceptable. Weak correlations between children's and teachers' judgments are discussed in terms of the young child's tendency to confuse the wish to be competent or accepted with reality. It is urged that this instrument not be viewed as a general self-concept scale but be treated as a measure of 2 separate constructs, perceived competence and social acceptance.