Adolescents' Social Mobility Orientations in Relation to F-Scale Behavior

Abstract

The California F-scale (Forms 40 and 45), Gough's MMPI St scale, Gough's Home Index socio-economic sratus scale, and questions to elicit Ss' expressions of occupational choice and data about parents' occupations were administered to 201 twelfth grade pupils. Ss' social mobility orientations were determined (a) by differences between paternal occupational levels and levels of Ss' occupational choices and (b) by differences between Home Index and St T scores. Mean F-scale scores for groups classified as having upward and downward social mobility orientations, respectively, were compared by t test within sexes. The hypothesis that those showing the upward mobility orientation would obtain lower mean F-scale scores was confirmed for both sexes. It was proposed that the results might be interpreted in terms of the scapegoat theory of prejudice or, more simply, in terms of the concept of anticipatory socialization.