Emanuel M. Berger's scale for testing the expressed acceptance of others is based on statements describing behavior, particularly verbal communicative behavior, of others, in a study of 561 subjects, Berger's scale evidenced need of modification in explaining small group interaction and especially the differing attitudinal responses of males' and females' expression of relative acceptance of other people. "Acceptance of others" has a different meaning to males than to females, perhaps due to culturally learned factors. Berger's scale has a male bias, but other factors proved reliable, leading to the conclusion that, with a control factor for sex, the Berger scale is a valuable instrument in communication research because of its focus on verbal behavior. For example, Berger's finding that the expression of a positive self-concept usually indicates a high degree of acceptance of others was found reliable. (CH)