Dispositional Self-Control in Educational Research: Structure and Validity of the Brief Self-Control Scale

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Goals, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Metacognitive States

Abstract

Dispositional self-control as measured by the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) predicts better grades, interpersonal success, and better performance in reasoning tasks. However, prior empirical studies did not find support for the theoretically postulated one-factorial structure of the BSCS, and the question of the scale’s dimensionality remains unresolved. In this article, we drew on a heterogeneous German sample of N=1929 vocational students to test a series of confirmatory factor models investigating the structure of the BSCS. Our study provided support for a nested-factor model including a general self-control factor, a specific restraint factor, and a method factor. Supporting this model, distinct correlations with education related criteria were found.

Authors

• Christoph Lindner, IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education

• Gabriel Nagy, Leibniz-Institute

• Jan Retelsdorf, IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education