columns of correlations 5.98), supporting the validity of both scales. In terms of cross-method conver-
gence correlations, child and parent reports of a ch ild’s self-esteem using the SISE were correlated
.23 ( Robins et al., 2001a ); this level of agreement, although low, is not usual in studies of children
(Meyer et al., 2001 ). Also, the SISE correlates positively (.30) with self-report measures of self-enhancement
(Robins et al., 2001a ).
Divergent/Discriminant
Robins et al. (2001a) found that the SISE was not substantially co rrelated with Big Five Agreeableness and
Openness to Experience ( r5.04 and r5.11, respectively); peer ratings of c ooperativeness, competitiveness,
and creativity in a group interaction task (r5.08, .04, and .10, respectively) ; several measures of academic
success (e.g., grades, test scores; rsr a n g ef r o m 2.10 to .05); or socioeconomic status ( r52 .02). In terms of
socially desirable responding, the SISE is not correl ated with measures of impression management but is
moderately correlated with self-report and cr iterion-based measures of self-enhancement ( Robins et al.,
2001a ;r5.05 and r5.30, respectively). Jonason and Webster (2010) found that the SISE was not signifi-
cantly or positively related to measures of psy chopathy, Machiavellianism, or narcissism ( r52 .09,2.09,
and2.13, respectively), although Ames, Rose, and Anderson (2006) reported a correlation (.24) between the
SISE and narcissism as assessed with a variant of t he Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI; Raskin &
Terry, 1988 ). Such correlations are likely to be observed w hen measures of narcissism include attributes
linked with social dominance and extraversion (see Brown & Zeigler-Hill, 2004 ). Also, in the Ackerman et al.
(2013) study, the SISE did not correlate with the explo itative/entitlement dimension of the NPI ( r52 .02,
N51,256).
Construct Factor Analytic
Factor analytic evidence is not relevant given the single item nature of the scale.
Criterion/Predictive
The SISE scores measured at the beginning of college were often predictive of a number of variables aggre-
gated across the subsequent four years ( Robins et al., 2001a ). In addition, scores on the SISE were found to be
predictive of cardiac vagal tone, suggesting better emotion regulation ( Schwerdtfeger & Scheel, 2012 ), and faster
physiological (e.g., blood pressure) habituation to a stressful socially evaluative context such as public speaking
(Elfering & Grebner, 2012 ).
Location
Robins, R.W., Hendin, H.M., & Trzesniewski, K.H. (2001). Measuring global self-esteem: Construct validation
of a single-item measure and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27 ,
151/C0161.
Results and Comments
The SISE is the briefest measure of global self-esteem available. Despite its brevity, the pattern of convergent
and discriminant correlates of the SISE closely mimic those of other more established measures of global self-
esteem, such as the RSE. However, there are also several notes of caution to consider before using the SISE. First,
it has lower test /C0retest reliability than multi-item measures of global self-esteem. This is likely due to the fact
that random measurement errors are typically larger for items than scales (see discussion in Chapter 1, this vol-
ume). Second, because it relies on the individual’s ability to know and acknowledge explicit feelings of global
self-worth, it may not be suitable for children. Third, the SISE may be more susceptible to extremity and acquies-
cence response styles because it has only one positively keyed item. Fourth, the SISE is a blatantly face valid mea-
sure and shows some susceptibility to socially desirable responding, in particular to self-deceptive enhancement.
However, this concern may be equally applicable to the RSE and other self-report measures of global self-esteem
(see Robins et al., 2001a , Study 2). Fifth, although the SISE has been used in numerous studies conducted with
North American samples, its reliability and validity in other cultures has yet to be systematically explored.
In summary, the accumulated evidence suggests that the SISE provides a practical alternative to longer measures
of global self-esteem.139 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS