The Measurement of Attitude: A Psychophysical Method and Some Experiments with a Scale for Measuring Attitude Toward the Church (Classic Reprint)

Unlock the science of how we gauge opinions and beliefs with a method that aims to be independent of the very attitude it measures.

This book explains the idea of attitude scales, how they are built, and how to test their reliability and validity in real populations.

Two main approaches to attitude scales are explored, along with practical examples and clear diagrams. You’ll learn how scale values are assigned, how statement ambiguity is measured, and how researchers judge whether a scale truly captures an attitude rather than the opinions of the readers who help construct it.

• Different ways to structure an attitude scale and what each type reveals about respondent judgments
• How scale-values are derived and how to interpret them in research reports
• Methods for assessing reliability, including how sample size affects stability of results
• Techniques to measure ambiguity (Q-values) and to judge the scope of a scale's applicability

Ideal for readers of psychology, social science, or anyone curious about how researchers quantify beliefs and biases.