Defensive Repressors and Empathic Impairment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether an inverse relationship exists between defensive repression and empathy. Defensive repression was assessed by scores of 16 male and 28 female freshmen of a religious college on the Byrne Repression-Sensitization Scale and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Empathy was assessed by Carkhuff's rating procedures for empathy and four scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory. Defensive repressors were significantly less empathic than nondefensive repressors on written responses. Defensive repressors scored significantly lower on the Feeling Reactivity scale and the Acceptance of Aggression scale of the Personal Orientation Inventory. The Existentiality and Capacity for Intimate Contact scales did not discriminate between the two groups. 43800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, CA 90639.