Development and Validation of the Chinese Modesty Scale (CMS)

Abstract

This paper describes the development and method of validation of the Chinese Modesty Scale (CMS). Based on Wang’s dualistic model for value and instrumental modesty, our study employed a review of the literature, in-depth interviews, open-ended investigations, and feedback from experts. An initial 14-item scale for analyzing the issue of “Chinese modesty” was developed. Then we explored the dimensions and final items of this CMS using item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with sample 1 (n = 406). After that, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to replicate the factor structure obtained through EFA with a refined, independent, 12-item scale (n = 662). Results confirmed the dualistic model (for value and instrumental modesty) on which this scale was based. That is, we found that there are two kinds of “Chinese modesty”: value modesty and instrumental modesty. As a valid, reliable scale, the CMS can therefore be used to measure the “Chinese modesty” of/in different age groups.

Good and evil in Chinese culture: Personality structure and connotation

“…(Virtues Scale; VS)。在随后的近 10 年来, 关于人格 心理学中如美德、谦虚等人格的研究文献不断涌现 (Krueger, Hicks, & McGue, 2001;Shryack, Steger, Krueger, & Kallie, 2010;Xiong, Wang, & Cai, 2018), (Cheung et al, 1996)。王登峰等研究者建构 的中国人"大七"人格结构中, "善良"是其中一个稳 定的人格维度, 高分者表现出对人真诚、友好、顾 及他人等行为, 低分者则有对人虚假、欺骗、不择 手段等特点 (王登峰, 崔红, 2005a, 2005b)…”

Three-Dimensional Filial Piety Scale: Development and Validation of Filial Piety Among Chinese Working Adults

“…In contrast to previous research on filial piety scales, this study has three main strengths. First, the new scale was developed using a combination of theory-driven and data-driven information, which is regarded as the best way to produce robust models and measures compared with using theory-driven or data-driven information alone (Jiang, 2004; Xiong et al, 2018). In this study, preliminary items based on the TDFPM were first generated and then revised them according to empirical results obtained from four samples of Chinese working adults.…”

“…Participants were reminded of the confidentiality of the research results and asked to respond to the scale according to their actual situation. Although it is not possible to eliminate participant response biases, these procedures may reduce them to a certain degree (Xiong et al, 2018). To improve the ecological validity and reduce the social desirability biases, a state-level three-dimensional filial piety scale can be compiled by utilizing the event reconstruction method (ERM) proposed by Kahneman et al (2004).…”

Lay Conceptions of Modesty in China: A Prototype Approach

“…Some Chinese indigenous psychologists go even further, questioning the possibility of defining and measuring ethnic constructs in any culture-free way (Ting et al, 2019). Along these lines, recent work has seen the development of a proposed culture-specific measure of modesty (Xiong et al, 2018), which derives from a dualistic model rooted in Chinese tradition. It captures two orthogonal dimensions on which (Chinese) people may score high or low: value modesty, where modest attitudes and actions are themselves the intrinsic goal; and instrumental modesty, where modesty is cultivated for the sake of achieving some extrinsic goal.…”

“…Lay conceptions of modesty, though themselves diverse and distributed, may nonetheless usefully inform more rigorous scientific definitions of modesty. Yet conceptions of modesty differ across cultures (Xiong et al, 2018). Moreover, the normative value of modesty also varies between Western and Eastern cultures (Cai et al, 2011).…”