Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech Survey (ATMOHS)

Abstract

The Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech Survey (ATMOHS), developed by Mohseni et al. (2023), is a 14-item psychometric instrument designed to assess the complex motives underlying engagement in Online Hate Speech (OHS). The scale is theoretically grounded in the Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech, which frames OHS as a motivated, context-dependent behavior rather than a simple aggressive outburst.

To capture diverse behavioral contexts, the ATMOHS utilizes a total of 25 unique vignettes, derived from five core OHS types (general, sexist against men, sexist against women, sexually aggressive against men, and sexually aggressive against women). The items themselves are adapted from established measures, including an expanded version of the Aggressive Motives Scale, and select subscales relating to self-perception (Undeserving Self-Image) and social influence (Providing an Appropriate Model), allowing the survey to analyze motives across the roles of perpetrators, active bystanders, and victims.

Keywords

Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech; Online Hate Speech (OHS); Motives; Motives of Aggression; Perpetrator; Victim; Bystander; Social Interactionist Theory of Aggression; Underservingness; Transformational Leadership; Victimization; Antisocial Behavior.

Authors

Mohseni, M. Rohangis.

Purpose

The central purpose of the ATMOHS survey is to systematically investigate the motivational landscape that drives participation in online aggression and hate speech. Unlike instruments that only focus on the occurrence of OHS, ATMOHS seeks to uncover the “why” behind the behavior.

Specifically, the instrument is engineered to assess motives from multiple perspectives within the online interaction: the perpetrators who write the OHS; the active bystanders who criticize or report the OHS; and the victims who receive the OHS. This multi-perspective approach aligns with the core principles of the Action-Theoretical Model, providing a holistic view of the social dynamics involved.

Construct

The ATMOHS measures the psychological construct of Motives for Online Hate Speech, integrating concepts from aggression theory and social psychology. The underlying theoretical framework is the Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech, which suggests that online aggression is driven by specific goal-oriented motives, rather than being purely impulsive.

The scale incorporates dimensions related to established aggression research, drawing upon the Aggressive Motives Scale and the Social Interactionist Theory of Aggression (Tedeschi & Felson, 1994). This expansion allows for the assessment of instrumental versus expressive motives for hate speech. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Undeserving Self-Image subscale captures internal, self-defeating motivations, while the Providing an Appropriate Model subscale assesses the pro-social or anti-social motives associated with bystander behavior and perceived leadership roles in online communities.

Validity

As of the initial publication of the Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech Survey (ATMOHS), empirical data supporting traditional measures of scale validity (such as construct validity, convergent validity, or discriminant validity) were not yet available.

Researchers relying on this instrument should note that development efforts initially prioritized reliability assessment. Further research and subsequent publications will be necessary to establish the comprehensive validity profile of the ATMOHS across different populations and contexts.

Reliability

The reliability of the ATMOHS was thoroughly assessed using measures of Internal Consistency. Due to the high correlation between responses across the 25 unique vignettes, frequency data were aggregated for reliability calculations.

• Frequency Measures (Ordinal Alpha Coefficients): The scale demonstrated exceptional internal consistency for behavioral frequency measures: 0.98 for perpetration (“writing OHS”), 0.89 for victimization (“receiving OHS”), 0.94 for active intervention (“criticizing OHS”), and 0.95 for formal intervention (“reporting OHS”).
• Motive Subscales (Alpha and Omega Coefficients): For the extended motives of aggression subscales, the alpha coefficients were reported at 0.77 and 0.79. The Underservingness subscale yielded acceptable reliability with an alpha coefficient of 0.75 and an omega coefficient of 0.77. The Role Model for Others subscale also showed strong reliability metrics, reporting an alpha coefficient of 0.73 and an omega coefficient of 0.76.

Factor Analysis

Specific data derived from factor analytic procedures, such as Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) or Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), necessary to confirm the latent structure of the ATMOHS scale, were noted as unavailable in the initial reporting phase.

Instrument

Test Type: Original

Format: The survey employs a vignette/scenario-based format. Participants are exposed to scenarios representing different forms of OHS. Following each scenario, respondents assess the frequency of their involvement in four distinct roles: perpetration (writing), bystanding (criticizing), bystanding (reporting), and victimization (receiving). Frequency responses are captured on a 7-point scale ranging from “1 = never” to “7 = daily.” Agreement with motive items is measured using a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from “1 = completely disagree” to “7 = completely agree.”

Language Available: German

Population Group: Human (Male and Female)

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years & older), encompassing Young Adulthood (18–29 yrs), Thirties (30–39 yrs), Middle Age (40–64 yrs), and Aged (65 yrs & older).

Population Details: Data were collected from an online quota sample population within Germany, covering individuals aged 18 to 69 years.

Test Methodology: Test Reliability; Internal Consistency

Keywords

Aggressive Behavior; Hate; Models; Motivation; Perpetrators; Role Models; Theories; Victimization; Antisocial Behavior Measures; Online Behavior; Psychology; Social Media; Ordinal alpha coefficients.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: 0000-0001-7686-8322

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Mohseni, M. Rohangis: TU Ilmenau, Department of Economic Sciences and Media, Institute of Media and Communication Science, Media Psychology and Media Design Group, Ehrenbergstrasse 29, Ilmenau, Germany, 98693.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author

Fee: No

Test Year: 2023

Reference’s

Mohseni, M. R. (2023). Motives of online hate speech: Results from a quota sample online survey. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 26(7), 499–506. doi:10.1089/cyber.2022.0188

Items of the Action-Theoretical Model of Online Hate Speech Survey (ATMOHS)

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

The survey is a 14-item measure. Specific items are not available.