The Self-Consciousness Scale: On the Stability of the Three-Factor Structure

Some researchers have recently argued that a four-factor structure best represents the Self-Consciousness Scale. The present study provides evidence that a three-factor structure is superior to a four-factor structure in accounting for the variability among items. The three-factor version of the scale is shown to provide a closer approximation to simple structure than the four-factor model. The three-factor solution is also relatively invariant across communality estimates and rotations, whereas the composition of the four-factor solution is more affected by these factor parameters. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis shows that the four-factor solution does not provide a closer fit to the data than the three-factor solution. General issues regarding the role of factor analysis in theory development are addressed.