Opinionated Scale

Abstract

The Opinionating Scale, developed by Milton Rokeach in 1956, is a psychological instrument designed to measure a specific dimension of dogmatism. Unlike traditional attitude scales that focus solely on the content of beliefs, the Opinionating Scale measures the manner and intensity with which an individual rejects or accepts beliefs associated with opposing political or ideological orientations. It serves as a key component in Rokeach’s broader work exploring the structure of belief systems as an alternative to the concept of the authoritarian personality.

Keywords

Milton Rokeach, Dogmatism, Political Attitudes, Ideology, Belief Systems, Authoritarianism, Opinionation, Social Psychology.

Authors

Milton Rokeach.

[quads id=5]

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Opinionating Scale is to quantify the degree to which an individual expresses opinions in an absolute, emphatic, and closed-minded manner, specifically regarding sociopolitical issues. Rokeach intended for this scale to capture the structural properties of belief systems, focusing on the individual’s overall level of dogmatism—that is, the resistance to change and the rejection of opposing viewpoints—regardless of whether those viewpoints are politically “Left” or “Right.”

By using items phrased in an extreme manner (e.g., “Only a simple-minded fool would think that…”), the scale assesses the respondent’s willingness to employ harsh, judgmental, and opinionated language toward those who hold different views, thereby isolating the structural characteristic of opinionation from the specific content of the ideology itself. The instrument includes two contextually specific versions: one focused on British politics and one focused on American politics of the mid-1950s.

Construct

The scale measures Opinionation, which is defined as the general tendency to express beliefs with extreme certainty and intolerance, often using derogatory or highly judgmental language directed at those who disagree. This construct is derived from Rokeach’s dogmatism theory, which posits that closed-mindedness is a general personality trait present across the ideological spectrum (both Left and Right).

The Opinionating Scale is structurally divided into four specific components, reflecting both direction (Left vs. Right ideology) and mode (Acceptance vs. Rejection):

• Opinionated Acceptance – Left: Emphatic agreement with Left-wing statements.
• Opinionated Rejection – Left: Emphatic rejection of anti-Left statements (often by demeaning the holders of those views).
• Opinionated Acceptance – Right: Emphatic agreement with Right-wing statements.
• Opinionated Rejection – Right: Emphatic rejection of anti-Right statements (often by demeaning the holders of those views).

Validity

While the source content does not provide specific coefficients, the validity of the Opinionating Scale is generally supported by its correlation with Rokeach’s broader Dogmatism Scale (D Scale). The scale was designed for construct validity, aiming to demonstrate that opinionation is a reliable measure of the generalized psychological construct of closed-mindedness, distinct from traditional measures of political liberalism or conservatism.

Research, such as the 1968 empirical test by Ralph W. Hood, investigated the scale’s validity, particularly its relationship to cognitive variables and other measures of authoritarianism. A core finding supporting its validity is the tendency for high scorers to reject out-groups and exhibit intolerance, aligning with the theoretical definition of dogmatism.

Reliability

Specific reliability coefficients (e.g., internal consistency or test-retest reliability) are not provided in the primary source extract. However, in the context of Rokeach’s original work published in 1956, the scale was developed alongside the Dogmatism Scale, which generally demonstrated acceptable levels of internal consistency. The instrument utilizes a large number of items (40 total) across four sub-dimensions, which inherently contributes to robust internal consistency if the items are measuring a unified, underlying trait of dogmatism.

Factor Analysis

The scale is structured based on a theoretical factor model comprising four distinct, yet related, subfactors (Opinionated Acceptance/Rejection crossed with Left/Right content). Rokeach’s theoretical framework implies that the overall score, derived from summing across all four subscales, reflects a single overarching factor: general opinionation or the structural rigidity of the belief system. Subsequent factor analyses of the scale often support the bipolar nature of the instrument, where high scores on both Left and Right rejection/acceptance components contribute to the overall measure of dogmatism, thus validating its non-content-specific approach to measuring closed-mindedness.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological scale measuring ideological rigidity and dogmatism.

Format: 40 items, presented in two versions (British and American Form C). Responses are gathered on an agree-disagree scale, typically ranging from 1 to 7.

Language Available: English (British and American versions).

Population Group: General adult population, particularly those engaged in or aware of contemporary political and social discourse.

Age Group: Adolescents and adults.

Population Details: The scale items are highly specific to the political climate of the mid-1950s in the United States and Great Britain, referencing key historical figures and political events of that era.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate their level of agreement or disagreement (1 to 7) with each of the 40 statements. High scores indicate a high degree of opinionation and closed-mindedness, regardless of the specific political orientation expressed.

Keywords

Milton Rokeach, Social Psychology, Dogmatism, Ideological Rigidity, Political Extremism, Attitude Measurement, 1950s Politics.

[quads id=5]

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was developed and published in 1956. Information regarding current usage permissions and associated fees is not provided in the original extract. Researchers should consult the original Rokeach publication or the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan for modern licensing details.

Reference’s

• Rokeach‚ M. (1956). Political and religious dogmatism: an alternative to the authoritarian personality. Psychological Monographs‚ 43(18)‚ 1-43.
• Ralph W. Hood. (1968). An Empirical test of the Validity of Rokeach’s Opinionation Scale. The Journal of Psychology‚ 69(1)‚ 47-52.
• Robinson‚ John P.‚ Shaver‚ Phillip R. (1969). Measures of Political Attitudes. Institute for Social Research‚ University of Michigan. Ann Arbor‚ Michigan.

The original PDF containing this instrument can be downloaded here: https://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/dis/infoserv/isrpub/pdf/Measuresofsocialpsychologicalattitudes_2928_.PDF

[quads id=5]

Items of the Opinionating Scale

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

British Version Form-C

Opinionated Rejection – Left

1. It is quite stupid to say that the Bevanites follow the Communist line.
2. A person must be pretty stupid if he still believes in differences between races.
3. There are two kinds of people who opposed the Labour Government post-war programme: the selfish and the stupid.
4. A person must be pretty shortsighted if he thinks that the Conservatives represent the best interest of the British people.
5. It is the people who believe everything they read i n the papers who are convinced that Russia is pursuing a ruthless policy of imperialist aggression.
6. It is mainly those who support the viewpoint put out by the landlord who believe that rents should be increased.
7. A person must be pretty gullible if he really believes that the Communists have actually infiltrated into the teaching profession.
8. It’s mostly those who want a third World War who want to rearm Western Germany.
9. It is very foolish to advocate government support of religious education.
10. Only a simple-minded fool would think that the present Colonial Secretary is interested in Freedom.

Opinionated Acceptance – Left

11. It’s perfectly clear to any thinking person that the ex‎ecution of the Rosenbergs has done the United States more harm than good.
12. Any person with even a brain in his head knows that it would be dangerous to let our country be run by men like Lord Beaverbrook.
13. The truth of the matter is this: It is big business which wants to continue the cold war.
14. Make no mistake about it; The best way to achieve security is for the government to guarantee full employment.
15. It’s perfectly clear to all decent people that all this fuss about communism does more harm than good.
16. Thoughtful persons know that the Tories are not really interested in democracy.
17. It’s perfectly clear to any thinking person that the way to solve our financial problems is by soak-the-rich taxation.
18. It’s all too true that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
19. History clearly shows that It is the private enterprise system which is at the root of depression and wars.
20. Anyone who truly understands America will tell you that the sooner we stop following in their footsteps the better off we will be.

Opinionated Rejection – Right

21. It is simply incredible that anyone should believe that Dr. Jagan had the interest of the people of British Guiana at heart.
22. A person must be very ignorant if he thinks that Churchill is going to let big business run this country.
23. It’s the Communists and fellow travellers who are always bringing up the issue of freedom for the Colonies.
24. It’s the fellow travellers or Communists who are always going on about the right to strike.
25. It is foolish to think that the Labour party is really the party of the common man.
26. You just can’t help but feel sorry for the person who believes that the world could exist without a Creator.
27. It’s usually the trouble-makers who talk about state ownership.
28. Only a misguided idealist would believe that the Soviet un‎ion is for peace.
29. It’s mostly the noisy radicals who try to tell us that we will be better off under socialism.
30. It’s the agitators and Left – wingers who want to get Red China into the United Nations right away.

Opinionated Acceptance – Right

31. Any intelligent person can plainly see that the real reason Britain is spending so much for defense is to stop aggression.
32. Plain common sense tell s you that nationalization of industry has gone far enough.
33. Anyone who is really for democracy knows very well that the only way for Britain to avoid revolution and civil war is to support American foreign policy.
34. History will clearly show that Churchill’s victory over the Labour Party in 1951 was a step forward for the British people.
35. The American re-armament program is clear and positive proof that they are willing to make sacrifices to preserve their freedom.
36. This much is certain: The only way is to wipe out the Mau Mau terrorists.
37. It’s already crystal clear that the United Nations is a failure.
38. A study of British history clearly shows that it is the British merchant who has contributed most to our society.
39. Even a person of average intelligence knows that to defend ourselves against aggression we should welcome any kind of help including Franco’s.
40. Anyone who knows what’s going on will tell you that the Foreign office diplomats who disappeared in 1952 were traitors to their country.

American Version Form C

Opinionated Rejection – Left

1. It’s just plain stupid to say that it was Franklin Roosevelt who got us into the war.
2. A person must be pretty stupid if he still believes in differences between races.
3. There are two kinds of people who fought Truman’s Fair Deal Program: the selfish and the stupid.
4. A person must be pretty short-sighted if he believes that college professors should be forced to take special loyalty oaths.
5. It’s the people who believe everything they read in the papers who are convinced that Russia is pursuing a ruthless policy of imperialist aggression.
6. It’s mainly those who believe the propaganda put out by the real estate interests who are against a federal slum clearance program.
7. A person must be pretty gullible if he really believes that the Communists have actually infiltrated into government and education.
8. It’s mostly those who are itching for a fight who want a universal military training law.
9. It is very foolish to advocate government support of religion.
10. Only a simple-minded fool would think that Senator McCarthy is a defender of American democracy.

Opinionated Acceptance – Left

11. It’s perfectly clear that the decision to ex‎ecute the Rosenbergs has done us more harm than good.
12. Any person with even a brain in his head knows that it would be dangerous to let our country be run by men like General MacArthur.
13. The truth of the matter is this; It is big business which wants to continue the cold war.
14. Make no mistake about it; The best way to achieve security is for the government to guarantee jobs for all .
15. It’s perfectly clear to all decent Americans that Congressional committees which investigate communism do more harm than good.
16. Thoughtful persons know that the American Legion is not really interested in democracy.
17. It’s perfectly clear to all thinking persons that the way to solve our financial problem is by a soak-the-rich program.
18. It’s all too true that the rich are getting rich e r and the poor are getting poorer.
19. History clearly shows that It is the private enterprise system which is at the root of depressions and wars.
20. Anyone who’s old enough to remember the Hoover days will tell you that It’s a lucky thing Hoover was never re-elected.

Opinionated Rejection – Right

21. It’s simply incredible that anyone should believe that socialized medicine will actually help solve our health problems.
22. A person must be pretty ignorant i f he thinks that Eisenhower is going to let the “big boys” run this country.
23. It’s the fellow travellers or Reds who keep yelling all the time about labor’s right to strike.
24. It’s the radicals and labor racketeers who yell the loudest about labor’s right to strike.
25. It is foolish to think that the Democratic Party i s really the party of the common man.
26. You just can’t help but feel sorry for the person who believes that the world could exist without a Creator.
27. It’s usually the trouble-makers who talk about government ownership of public utilities.
28. Only a misguided idealist would believe that the United States is an imperialist warmonger.
29. It’s mostly the noisy liberals who try to tell us that we will be better off under socialism.
30. It’s the agitators and left-wingers who are trying to get Red China in to the United Nations.

Opinionated Acceptance – Right

31. Any intelligent person can plainly see that the real reason America is rearming is to stop aggression.
32. Plain common sense tells you that prejudice can be removed by education‚ not legislation.
33. Anyone who is really for democracy knows very well that the only way for America to head off revolution and civil war In backward countries i s to send military aid.
34. History will clearly show that Churchill’s victory over the Labour Party in 1951 was a step forward for the British people.
35. The American rearmament program is clear and positive proof that we are willing to sacrifice to preserve our freedom.
36. This much is certain; The only way to defeat tyranny in China is to support Chiang Kai-Shek.
37. It’s already crystal – clear that the United Nations is a failure.
38. A study of American history clearly shows that it is the American businessman who has contributed most to our society.
39. Even a person of average intelligence knows that to defend ourselves against aggression we should welcome all help — including Franco’s Spain.
40. Anyone who knows what’s going on will tell you that Alger Hiss was a traitor who betrayed his country.