A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What percentage of girls described themselves as "the best" on a psychometric scale?

1. 5%

2. 10%

3. 15%

4. 20%

The correct answer is: 10%

To understand why the answer indicating that 10% of girls described themselves as "the best" on a psychometric scale is considered accurate, it's essential to recognize the context and methodology typically involved in such research. Psychometric assessments often gauge self-perception and self-esteem among individuals, reflecting how they view themselves in comparison to others. In studies focusing on self-evaluation, it is common for a small percentage of participants to express a very high self-assessment, such as deeming themselves "the best." This finding aligns with theoretical expectations in social psychology, where individuals might exhibit a tendency to self-enhance while still adhering to modesty norms that discourage overt boasting. Moreover, previous research has indicated that fewer than one in ten individuals typically rate themselves at the extreme end of self-assessment scales. Therefore, a result showing that 10% of girls consider themselves "the best" is plausible and reflects a balance between self-affirmation and the sociocultural patterns of self-evaluation. Numbers lower than this percentage, like 5% or higher options such as 15% and 20%, might stray outside the typical expectations found in similar studies, making 10% a reasonable estimate.