Repressor-sensitizer personality styles and associated levels of verbal ability, social intelligence, sex knowledge, and quantitative ability.

Abstract

Byrne's Repression-Sensitization scale was used to assign 164 college males to represser, neutral, or sensitizer groups. Scores from measures of verbal ability, social intelligence, sex knowledge, quantitative ability, and scholastic grades were also obtained. Sensitizers, who use such defenses as intellectualization, rumination, and approach, were hypothesized to score higher on selected intellectual measures than repressers who use repression, denial, and avoidance. The results were opposite to those hypothesized, with repressers significantly exceeding sensitizers on 6 of 12 measures, using t tests. Sensitizers did not significantly exceed repressers on any of the measures. When verbal aptitude was held constant through covariance, the groups did not differ. It was concluded that repressers exceed sensitizers on verbal aptitude and that other obtained differences are artifacts of this variable.

Repression-sensitization: A critique of some neglected variables in the literature.

“…Their results clearly indicated the repressers to be a distinct group in comparison with both intermediates and sensitizers, leading the investigators to question the basic definition of sensitization. A related study by Clark and Neuringer (1971) also found the repressers to differ from both the intermedi-ates and the sensitizers on a measure of verbal ability.…”

Is repression adaptive? Relationships to socioemotional adjustment, academic performance, and self-image.

“…Studies of anxiety expressed by repressors through verbal and nonverbal channels might provide insight into discrepant findings obtained from different sources. Previous work has indicated that repressors, compared to sensitizers, have greater verbal aptitude (Clark & Neuringer, 1971), better problem-solving ability following a stressful situation (Young & Allin, 1992) and higher levels of classroom efficiency (Rofe & Lewin, 1979). The present findings that repressors have higher educational performance than intermediates suggest, in combination with earlier findings, that repressors are at an advantage academically compared to other groups.…”

“…Compared to sensitizers, repressors are less likely to seek outpatient services at mental health clinics (Tempone & Lamb;Thelen, 1969) and are more popular with peers (Rofe & Lewin, 1979). Compared to sensitizers, repressors score higher on measures of verbal aptitude (Clark & Neuringer, 1971), are better at problem-solving following a stressful situation (Young & Allin, 1992), and score higher on teacher ratings of classroom efficiency (Rofe & Lewin, 1979). Finally, compared to nonrepressors, repressors consistently have a higher real selfimage (Byrne, 1961;de Man, 1990;Shavit & Shouval, 1977).…”

Information-processing differences in repressors and sensitizers.

“…He found no consistent disposition toward avoidance or vigilance at any perceptual phase. Clark and Neuringer (1971) hypothesized that sensitizers would show generally higher scores on measures of verbal ability and scholastic achievement. They failed to establish sensitizers' superiority and actually found repressers higher in grade point average and performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (verbal).…”