Measuring self-acceptance: Expectancy for success vs. self-esteem

Self-acceptance is defined in Social Learning Theory (Rotter, 1954) terms as overall Freedom of Movement. This definition is essentially the same as the conception of Generalized Expectancy for Success presented by Fibel and Hale (1978), who created the Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale (GESS) in order to measure the construct. This study sought to validate the GESS as a measure of self-acceptance by using a sociometric peer nomination technique (N = 79). Results supported the validity of conceiving of self-acceptance in Social Learning Theory terms as overall Freedom of Movement and the concurrent validity of the Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale as a measure of self-acceptance. Data also suggested that the GESS may be more psychometrically sound than other similar scales in terms of internal consistency and confounding with social desirability.