Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale

Abstract

The Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale (Reiss PSP), developed by Ira L. Reiss in 1964, is a foundational instrument designed to quantify attitudes toward premarital sexual behavior. The scale was initially validated using a diverse, bi-racial sample of students and adults in the United States, focusing specifically on differences between African American and White populations. It utilizes a Guttman scale approach, which assumes that attitudes towards behaviors form a cumulative hierarchy of permissiveness.

The scale consists of 12 items and employs separate forms tailored for men and women, recognizing potential gender differences in sexual standards. Respondents assess the acceptability of various sexual acts—specifically kissing, petting, and coitus—under differing relational contexts, ranging from no affection to strong affection or formal engagement. The instrument has demonstrated high levels of reliability, consistently meeting the .90 criterion.

Keywords

Guttman Scales, Premarital Sexual Standards, Level of Sexual Permissiveness, Affection, Psychometric Properties, Test Development, Gender Differences, Racial and Ethnic Differences, African Americans, Whites.

Authors

Reiss, Ira L.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale is to provide a standardized, quantitative measure of permissive attitudes regarding sexual relations occurring before marriage. This development was crucial in mid-20th-century sociology and psychology for empirically studying the rapid changes in sexual norms and behaviors within American society.

By assessing the acceptance of specific sexual behaviors (kissing, petting, coitus) across varying levels of emotional commitment (from no affection to strong affection or engagement), the scale allows researchers to precisely map an individual’s or a group’s position on the spectrum of premarital sexual permissiveness.

Construct

The scale measures the psychological construct of Premarital Sexual Permissiveness. This construct is defined as the degree to which an individual views sexual activities outside the confines of marriage as acceptable or permissible. Reiss specifically structured the measurement around the principle that acceptance of more intimate sexual acts (like coitus) implies acceptance of less intimate acts (like kissing), reflecting the underlying cumulative nature inherent to the Guttman scale method.

Validity

Information regarding the specific validity evidence (e.g., content, criterion, or construct validity) of the original 1964 scale development was not explicitly indicated in the primary source documentation. Researchers utilizing the Reiss PSP are encouraged to consult subsequent studies that have employed the scale to find evidence of its validity in contemporary populations and contexts, although the scale’s widespread use in subsequent research suggests assumed criterion or construct validity.

Reliability

The Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale demonstrates strong internal consistency and reliability. The original development study indicated that all derived scales and subscales consistently meet or exceed the rigorous .90 reliability criterion. This high threshold suggests that the scale items are highly interrelated and consistently measure the intended construct of sexual permissiveness, indicating excellent psychometric quality.

Factor Analysis

The original development of the Reiss PSP did not indicate the use of factor analysis, as the instrument was designed specifically as a Guttman scale. The Guttman method assumes a single, unidimensional underlying continuum (permissiveness) which is tested via scalability coefficients, rather than relying on exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis to determine latent structures.

Instrument

Test Type: Rating Scale

Format: The scale uses Guttman scale questions, requiring binary responses (typically YES or NO) to assess attitudes toward premarital sexual permissiveness. It is administered via paper format.

Language Available: English

Population Group: Human; Male; Female

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years and older)

Population Details: The initial validation samples included Student Samples and a National Adult Sample, conducted in the United States, featuring a bi-racial population (African Americans and Whites).

Test Methodology: The administration method is paper-based. The instrument consists of 12 items, provided in separate forms for male and female respondents. Test items are currently unavailable for public distribution and must be obtained by contacting the author or publisher.

Keywords

Premarital Intercourse, Psychosexual Behavior, Racial and Ethnic Differences, Sexual Attitudes, Test Construction, Human Sex Differences, Sexual Permissiveness, Bi-racial Samples, Sociological Measurement.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided

Correspondence Address: State University of Iowa (Affiliation at time of publication)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale is not a commercial instrument, and there is no associated fee for its use in research. The original test was developed and published in 1964. Researchers should confirm permissions for item usage by contacting the original publisher or author estate, as the items are explicitly noted as being unavailable for public use.

Reference’s

• Reiss, I. L. (1964). The scaling of premarital sexual permissiveness. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 26(2), 188–198. The original source can be accessed via DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/349726

Items of the Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The specific text of the 12 items is not provided in the source content. The source indicates that the questions inquire about the acceptability of kissing, petting, and coitus under conditions of engagement, love, strong affection, and no affection. The test items are explicitly noted as being unavailable for public distribution; contact the author or publisher for obtaining items.