In response to recent social phenomenon of adolescents reporting increasingly higher levels of anger, a new construct "assumed-competence" is proposed in this study.
The purpose of Study 1 is to formulate an instrument to measure individual differences in assumed-competence and to examine the construct validity of the scale by comparing it with self-esteem in relation to past experiences. Four scales designed to measure assumed-competence, past experiences, self-esteem, and narcissistic-competence were administered to 393 university students. The ACS (Assumed-Competence Scale) consisting of 11 items showed high reliability. The ACS showed no significant relationship to self-esteem, but was positively related to narcissistic-competence. Self-esteem was positively correlated with positive experiences and assumed-competence was also positively correlated with negative experiences.
Study 2 aimed at investigating the relationship between assumed-competence and anger measured using Spielberger's STAXI. Results suggested that individuals with high assumed-competence had higher trait anger than those with low assumed-competence. However, self-esteem inhibited the expression of anger.