Family Structure Variables and Need Approval: Some Additional Data

Abstract

Previous studies have reported various relationships between need for approval, as measured by the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (M-C SDS), and birth order, sex, and family size. In the present study (with 55 men and 61 women in introductory psychology) a tendency was found for firstborn Ss to obtain higher M-C SDS scores than later borns, a trend which is in general agreement with some earlier studies. However, none of the other previously obtained relationships was replicated. Some possible explanations are given for these inconsistent results.