Acquiring Motives Questionnaire (AMQ)

Abstract

The Acquiring Motives Questionnaire (AMQ) is a 55-item psychological instrument developed by David, Forbes, and Norberg (2024) to rigorously measure the underlying psychological motivations driving the excessive acquisition of possessions. Developed in parallel with the Saving Motives Questionnaire (SMQ), the AMQ’s construction was based on extensive literature review and expert consultation. The scale was validated across diverse samples, including nonclinical university students, community adults, and clinical populations diagnosed with Hoarding Disorder (HD) and Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder (CBSD). Psychometric evaluation utilized Factor Analysis, Item Response Theory, reliability, and validity assessments, all of which supported the scale’s applicability for both research and clinical settings.

Keywords

Acquiring Motives Questionnaire, AMQ, Compulsive Buying Behavior, Hoarding Disorder, Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder (CBSD), Acquisition of Possessions, Psychological Assessment, Clinical Motivation.

Authors

Jonathan David, Miriam K. Forbes, Melissa M. Norberg

Purpose

The primary purpose of the AMQ is to systematically assess the diverse psychological drivers that underpin the acquisition of items, particularly focusing on motivations that extend beyond necessity or immediate utility. By mapping these motivations, the instrument aids in understanding the cognitive and emotional processes associated with excessive or problematic acquisition behaviors.

Construct

The core construct measured by the AMQ is the spectrum of **Acquiring Motives**, which are hypothesized to underlie behaviors associated with compulsive buying, shopping, and acquisition tendencies, including those seen in conditions like Hoarding Disorder. The scale operationalizes these motives into fourteen distinct subscales, differentiating between positive reinforcement (e.g., identity expression, reward) and negative reinforcement (e.g., coping, avoidance of mistakes) drivers.

Validity

The validity of the AMQ was established through multiple psychometric methods. **Construct Validity** was supported by sophisticated analyses, including Factor Analysis and Item Response Theory, confirming that the scale structure aligns with the theoretical model of acquiring motives.

Evidence for **Convergent and Divergent Validity** was provided by examining correlations between the AMQ and the companion scale, the Saving Motives Questionnaire (SMQ). Stronger correlations were consistently observed between theoretically similar subscales (e.g., AMQ Positive Social and SMQ Positive Social), confirming the distinct yet related nature of acquisition and saving motives. Furthermore, **Criterion Validity** was demonstrated by the AMQ’s ability to correlate significantly with external measures of hoarding and compulsive buying, and crucially, its capacity to successfully differentiate control participants from individuals diagnosed with HD and/or CBSD.

Reliability

Reliability analyses indicate strong internal consistency and acceptable temporal stability for most subscales. **Internal Consistency**, measured using McDonald’s omega (ω), ranged from 0.81 to 0.92 across the various subscales, indicating high homogeneity among items within each factor.

The **Test-Retest Reliability** was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). Most subscales demonstrated good stability, with ICCs falling between 0.70 and 0.88. However, two specific subscales, Positive Use/Info (ICC = 0.67) and Positive Helping Others (ICC = 0.68), showed slightly lower, though still acceptable, stability coefficients, just below the 0.70 threshold generally desired for research measures.

Factor Analysis

The scale development involved rigorous statistical modeling to determine the underlying structure of acquiring motives. Initial Exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a 13-factor structure. Subsequent comprehensive modeling utilized Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The CFA results ultimately supported a refined 14-factor model as the best fit for the data, proving superior to alternative structural models tested by the authors.

The final 14 subscales identified are categorized as nine Positive Motives (Social, Sales, Reward, Use/Info, Historical, Helping Others, Identity, Collecting, Beauty) and five Negative Motives (Social, Sentimental, Mistakes, Coping, Collecting).

Instrument

Test Type: Inventory/Questionnaire (55 items)

Format: The instrument uses a 5-point Likert scale where participants rate statements based on frequency: 0 = “never,” 1 = “rarely,” 2 = “sometimes,” 3 = “frequently,” and 4 = “very often.” Subscale scores are calculated by averaging the constituent item scores.

Language Available: English (Original development language)

Population Group: Human (Male and Female)

Age Group: Adulthood (18+ years)

Population Details: Validation sample included nonclinical university students and community adults, alongside clinical samples of individuals diagnosed with Hoarding Disorder (HD) and/or Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder (CBSD). Data collection took place in Australia.

Test Methodology: The development process utilized rigorous psychometric methodologies, including **Test Validity** (Construct, Convergent, Criterion, Discriminant), **Test Reliability** (Internal Consistency, Test-Retest Reliability), and advanced statistical techniques such as **Factor Analysis** (Exploratory and Confirmatory) and **Item Response Theory**.

Keywords

Acquiring Motives, Compulsive Acquisition, Positive Social Motives, Negative Coping, Collecting Behavior, Psychological Assessment, Hoarding Disorder (HD), Test-Retest Reliability, Likert Scale.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: The primary contact for correspondence is Melissa M. Norberg ([email protected]).

Correspondence Address: Macquarie University, School of Psychological Sciences, Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Sydney, Australia.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Acquiring Motives Questionnaire (AMQ) was first published and validated in 2024. Information regarding licensing, permissions, and administration fees should be directed to the corresponding author, Melissa M. Norberg. No file is currently available for direct download from the source documentation.

Reference’s

David, J., Forbes, M. K., & Norberg, M. M. (2024). Development and validation of the Acquiring and Saving Motives Questionnaires: For use in clinical and nonclinical populations. Psychological Assessment, 36(3), 200–214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001304

Items of the Acquiring Motives Questionnaire (AMQ)

Participants are asked to respond to the following statements using a 5-point rating scale:

• 0 = Never

• 1 = Rarely

• 2 = Sometimes

• 3 = Frequently

• 4 = Very Often

The items are as follows:

1. I ACQUIRE objects because: I want to give them to the right person.

2. They allow me to gain skills or knowledge.

3. I like spending money on myself.

4. I enjoy organizing them into collections.

5. I like a good bargain.

6. Cheap things make me feel thrifty.

7. I could help someone with them.

8. I would like to preserve historical artifacts.

9. I like to learn from historical items.

10. I can use them to reward myself for my achievements.

11. I deserve them.

12. I can use them to make others feel good.

13. They allow me to feel connected to history.

14. They look stunning.

15. People will respect me for having them.

16. It allows me to save money when they are free or on sale.

17. I like owning collectibles.

18. They show others that I am interesting.

19. I like discounted products.

20. Others may feel grateful when they use them.

21. I like beautiful things.

22. They help me feel like I belong.

23. I can use them to impress others.

24. I want to display them as part of my collection.

25. I want the information they contain.

26. I like caring for historical objects.

27. Buying gifts for myself makes me feel good.

28. I’d like to add them to my collection.

29. I like the way they look.

30. I like stylish things.

31. I can express myself with them.

32. They are a part of me.

33. They fill me with purpose.

34. I want things that represent my self-identity.

35. I will use the information they contain.

36. I don’t want to worry if I’ll need them in the future.

37. I can comfort myself with them.

38. I don’t want to forget the memories that these possessions represent.

39. If I don’t have them, I will forget someone important.

40. I am uncertain about whether they will be needed.

41. I can’t handle an imperfect set of items.

42. I might regret not owning them.

43. I won’t be able to enjoy my collection unless it’s complete.

44. People will think I’m unsuccessful without them.

45. I don’t like having an incomplete set of items.

46. I want them to distract myself from stressful concerns.

47. I need them so I don’t forget something personally significant.

48. If I don’t own them, others might ignore me.

49. If I don’t, I might displease others.

50. I need them to remember the places I have been.

51. People will think I’m boring without them.

52. I want to use them when feeling distressed.

53. I need them to make me feel better.

54. I cannot appreciate an incomplete collection.

55. I worry that I’ll need them.