DO WE SEE OURSELVES AS OTHERS INFER - A COMPARISON OF SELF-OTHER AGREEMENT ON MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF SELF-CONCEPT FROM 2 CONTINENTS

Two studies evaluated the ability of significant others to accurately infer multiple dimensions of self-concept of university students in Au stralia (n = 151) and Canada (n = 941) and the construct validity of r esponse to the Self Description Questionnaire III (SDQIII). Four facto r analyses - self- and other-responses by Australians and Canadians - all clearly identified the 13 factors that the SDQIII is designed to m easure. Mean ratings were similar in the two studies, although self-ra tings tended to be lower than other-ratings (i.e., a self-modesty effe ct). There was substantial self-other agreement on each of the 13 SDQI II factors, that was similar for Australians and Canadians (mean rs of .568 and .560), and much higher than reported in previous research. M ultitrait-multimethod analyses demonstrated convergent and discriminan t validity of the SDQIII responses in both studies. Across all analyse s, Australian and Canadian results were remarkably similar. Critical f eatures leading to the consistently high self-other agreement were the use of older students, multiple dimensions of self-concept based on i nstruments with strong psychometric properties, and significant others who know the subject very well. Particularly the factor analyses and the multitrait-multimethod analyses provide strong support for the con struct validity of interpretations of SDQIII responses.