Brief Description

The Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS) is a 23-item self-report instrument designed to assess the extent to which an individual focuses on the self as a stable personality trait. Self-consciousness is examined as a chronic and enduring tendency for self-focus and is categorized into private self-consciousness, public self-consciousness, and social anxiety.

Purpose

The scale aims to measure a person’s inclination to concentrate attention either on internal experiences (private self-consciousness), on the image they project to others (public self-consciousness), or on the anxiety they experience in social situations (social anxiety). Assessing these dimensions is important for understanding personality, psychological vulnerability, and interpersonal difficulties.

Scoring Method

The scale includes 23 statements rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Extremely uncharacteristic of me) to 5 (Extremely characteristic of me). Subscale scores are calculated separately: 10 items for private self-consciousness, 7 items for public self-consciousness, and 6 items for social anxiety. Three items are reverse scored. Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the corresponding form of self-consciousness.

Validity

Factor analysis conducted with Greek samples confirmed the original three-factor structure of the scale. The scale’s conceptual validity is supported by its correlation with psychological variables such as anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Its structure aligns with theoretical models of self-focused attention.

Reliability

The overall internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.80. Subscale reliability coefficients were 0.63 for private self-consciousness, 0.69 for public self-consciousness, and 0.80 for social anxiety. These values are acceptable for research use and reflect sufficient internal coherence.

Data Analysis and Use

Data are analyzed by calculating both total and subscale scores. Correlational and factor analysis methods are typically used. The scale is widely applied in both research and clinical settings to explore how self-consciousness relates to psychological symptoms, social behavior, and personality characteristics. It is particularly useful in studies of anxiety, self-monitoring, and perceived social acceptance.

References

Fenigstein, A., Scheier, M. F., & Buss, A. H. (1975). Public and private self-consciousness: Assessment and theory. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 522–527.
Panayiotou, G., & Kokkinos, C. M. (2006). Self-consciousness and its role in psychological distress: A study using the Greek SCS. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 83–93.