Secrecy abilities and attitudes: development and psychometric validation of two secrecy scales

Secrecy, defined as the intentional concealment of personal information, is a widespread yet understudied phenomenon. This study aimed to shed light on individual differences in secrecy by introducing two novel scales to assess one’s ability to keep secrets and one’s attitude toward secrecy. An online survey was administered, encompassing the Common Secrecy Questionnaire (CSQ) alongside the newly developed Secrecy Ability Scale (SAB) and Secrecy Attitude Scale (SAT), complemented by various additional scales. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the proposed structure of both new scales. Results showed good internal consistency, discriminant validity, and fair 6-month test-retest reliability. Nearly all participants (97%) reported keeping at least one secret, with an average of 14. Common secrets included lying, romantic desires while single, and concealed family details. Participants generally reported a high ability to keep secrets and a moderately positive attitude toward secrecy. Taken together, the results suggest that one’s ability to keep secrets and attitude toward secrecy are distinct phenomena. These findings deepen our understanding of individual differences in secrecy and offer a foundation for future psychological research and applied interventions.