HM 14-2 - Measuring Social Avoidance and Distress

Watson and Friend (1969) developed the Social Avoidance and Distress (SAD) Scale to measure people’s aversion to social interaction. This scale measures the anxiety people feel in social situations and the extent to which they avoid these situations.Watson and Friend found that high scorers on the SAD scale preferred not to participate in a group discussion and were more anxious about doing so than low scorers.

HM 14-2

They also found that SAD Scale scores correlated negatively with the drive toward affiliation.Thus, it appears that the SAD Scale is a valid measure of social anxiety and avoidance.The types of feeling measured by the SAD Scale are possibly the feelings that lead to social phobias. Social phobias involve an excessive fear of performing behaviors performing behaviors in front of people (Barlow & Durand, 2002).

HM 14-2

Some degree of evaluations anxiety is normal, but social phobics take normal anxiety to extremes. Social phobias may take such unusual forms as being unable to order a meal in a restaurant, avoiding meeting new people or dating, avoiding urinating in front of others (for men), or being unable to sign one;s name in public (Barlow & Durand, 2002). However, a high score on the SAD Scale does not automatically indicate a social phobia. Stage fright and anxiety about speaking in front of people are common causes of social anxiety.

HM 14-2

Answer Key1. F 2. T 3. F 4. F5. T 6. F 7. F 8. T9. F 10. T 11. T 12. F13. T 14. T 15. F 16. T17. F 18. T 19. F 20. T21. T 22. F 23. T 24. T25. F 26. T 27. F 28. F

HM 14-2Count one point for each answer that matches. You can use the norms reported by Watson and Friend (1969) to interpret students’ scores:

Low Intermediate HighMen: below 4 4-19 20+Women: 0 1-16

17+The higher the score, the greater the degree of social discomfort.