The development of a scale to measure fear,☆☆

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Abstract

The development of a scale to measure fear is presented. An empirical item selection procedure was used, and an item analysis was performed. Internal consistency reliability was computed and found to be high. There were significant sex differences for the total score and for several specific items. The Fear Survey Schedule-II (FSS-II) correlated positively with the TMAS, Welsh's A-Scale, and Bendig's Emotionality Scale. A low negative correlation with social desirability was found. Ss who differed in the amount of fearfulness they reported to specific items on the FSS-II were selected for validation studies. Significant differences on measures of fear were found among these Ss when they were presented with stimuli related to their fear. Implications for research were briefly discussed.

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This research was supported in part by a grant from the United Health Foundation of Western New York and in part by a grant from the Graduate School, State University of New York at Buffalo.

☆☆

Portions of this paper were read at the Midwestern Psychological Association Meeting, St. Louis, May, 1964.

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