ATTITUDE SCALE : MEANING, TYPES, OTHER NAMES & REASONS
1. Meaning of Attitude Scale
An Attitude Scale is a scientific tool used to measure an individual’s attitudes, opinions, beliefs, feelings, and dispositions toward a particular object, person, idea, subject, or situation. Since attitudes are psychological constructs and cannot be observed directly, attitude scales convert them into numerical or categorical scores.
Attitude scales are widely used in Educational Psychology, Sociology, and Research Methodology.
2. Types of Attitude Scales with Other Names, Reasons & Examples
2.1 Likert Scale
Other Name: Summated Rating Scale
Reason for Other Name:
It is called a Summated Rating Scale because the final attitude score is obtained by adding (summing) the scores of all individual statements.
It is called a Summated Rating Scale because the final attitude score is obtained by adding (summing) the scores of all individual statements.
Example:
Statement: “I enjoy learning English.”
Strongly Agree – Agree – Neutral – Disagree – Strongly Disagree
Statement: “I enjoy learning English.”
Strongly Agree – Agree – Neutral – Disagree – Strongly Disagree
Exam Point: Most widely used attitude scale in educational research.
2.2 Thurstone Scale
Other Names: Equal-Appearing Interval Scale, Judges’ Rating Scale
Reason for Other Name:
It is called an Equal-Appearing Interval Scale because experts arrange statements in such a way that the intervals between successive statements appear equal on the attitude continuum.
It is called an Equal-Appearing Interval Scale because experts arrange statements in such a way that the intervals between successive statements appear equal on the attitude continuum.
Example:
1. Homework is useless (1.0)
2. Homework has little value (3.0)
3. Homework is sometimes useful (5.0)
4. Homework improves learning (7.0)
5. Homework is essential (9.0)
1. Homework is useless (1.0)
2. Homework has little value (3.0)
3. Homework is sometimes useful (5.0)
4. Homework improves learning (7.0)
5. Homework is essential (9.0)
Exam Point: Most scientific but difficult to construct.
2.3 Semantic Differential Scale
Other Names: Bipolar Adjective Scale, Osgood Scale
Reason for Other Names:
It is called a Bipolar Adjective Scale because it uses pairs of opposite adjectives.
It is also called the Osgood Scale after its developer Charles E. Osgood.
It is called a Bipolar Adjective Scale because it uses pairs of opposite adjectives.
It is also called the Osgood Scale after its developer Charles E. Osgood.
Example:
Online Learning is:
Useful ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Useless
Online Learning is:
Useful ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Useless
Exam Point: Measures emotional meaning of concepts.
2.4 Guttman Scale
Other Name: Cumulative Scale
Reason for Other Name:
It is called a Cumulative Scale because agreement with a higher-level statement automatically implies agreement with all lower-level statements.
It is called a Cumulative Scale because agreement with a higher-level statement automatically implies agreement with all lower-level statements.
Example:
1. I read about environmental issues.
2. I discuss environmental problems.
3. I participate in environmental programs.
4. I actively campaign for the environment.
1. I read about environmental issues.
2. I discuss environmental problems.
3. I participate in environmental programs.
4. I actively campaign for the environment.
Exam Point: Responses show a logical cumulative pattern.
2.5 Bogardus Social Distance Scale
Other Name: Social Distance Scale
Reason for Other Name:
It is called a Social Distance Scale because it measures the degree of social closeness or distance a person is willing to maintain with members of a particular social group.
It is called a Social Distance Scale because it measures the degree of social closeness or distance a person is willing to maintain with members of a particular social group.
Example:
Accept as family member → friend → neighbor → citizen → not acceptable
Accept as family member → friend → neighbor → citizen → not acceptable
Exam Point: Used to study prejudice, tolerance, and inclusion.
2.6 Rating Scale
Other Names: Numerical Rating Scale, Graphic Rating Scale, Category Scale
Reason for Other Names:
Different names are used depending on whether attitudes are rated using numbers, visual lines, or descriptive categories.
Different names are used depending on whether attitudes are rated using numbers, visual lines, or descriptive categories.
Example:
Rate your attitude toward Mathematics:
1 – Very Poor | 2 – Poor | 3 – Average | 4 – Good | 5 – Excellent
Rate your attitude toward Mathematics:
1 – Very Poor | 2 – Poor | 3 – Average | 4 – Good | 5 – Excellent
3. Comparative Summary Table
| Scale | Other Name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Likert | Summated Rating Scale | Scores are added together |
| Thurstone | Equal-Appearing Interval Scale | Equal expert-judged intervals |
| Semantic Differential | Bipolar / Osgood Scale | Opposite adjective pairs |
| Guttman | Cumulative Scale | Progressive agreement pattern |
| Bogardus | Social Distance Scale | Measures social closeness |
| Rating Scale | Numerical / Graphic Scale | Based on rating format |
Conclusion (Exam-Oriented):
Different names are given to attitude scales because each name reflects the construction method, scoring procedure, or measurement principle used in that particular scale.
Different names are given to attitude scales because each name reflects the construction method, scoring procedure, or measurement principle used in that particular scale.
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