Problem Solving Index (PS Index)

Abstract

The Problem Solving Index (PS Index) was developed by F. Loyal Greer in 1961. This instrument originated within a larger research effort designed to investigate the complex relationship between squad leader behavior—specifically, the degree of leader indulgence—and subsequent measures of group effectiveness within highly structured environments, such as U.S. Army infantry rifle squads and Air Force crews. The PS Index is a brief, five-item measure intended to quantify an individual respondent’s perception of their leader’s behavior as either generally helpful or actively engaged in problem solving.

The scoring methodology involves five-step interval responses for each item. The total score is calculated as the sum of these five items, where a higher aggregate score signifies a stronger perception by the subordinate that their leader functions effectively as a problem solver within the operational unit.

Keywords

Problem Solving Index, Leadership, Military Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Test Development, Squad leader, Group effectiveness, Test Construction

Authors

Greer, F. Loyal

Purpose

The primary purpose of the PS Index is to provide a concise and specific measure of how subordinates perceive the helpfulness and efficacy of their immediate squad leader. It specifically targets the perception of the leader’s role in resolving issues and providing necessary support within the operational environment.

The scale was instrumental in the original 1961 study by Greer, which aimed to establish empirical links between leadership style (indulgence) and measurable outcomes related to group performance and effectiveness in military contexts. The resulting score serves as an indicator of perceived leadership utility from the subordinate’s perspective.

Construct

The psychological construct measured by the PS Index is focused on the perception of Problem Solving ability, specifically as it relates to leadership function in small groups. While the general construct is problem solving, the scale operationalizes this by assessing the leader’s perceived helpfulness and capability to address unit challenges.

This construct sits at the intersection of Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Military Psychology, focusing on how perceived leadership competence influences morale and potential performance in high-stakes environments like Army and Air Force units.

Validity

Specific details regarding the quantitative validity (e.g., criterion, construct, or content validity coefficients) of the Problem Solving Index were not explicitly indicated or reported in the summarized documentation associated with the original 1961 publication. Given that the index was developed as part of a larger monograph focused on experimental findings, detailed psychometric reporting may have been secondary to the investigation of the primary hypothesis.

Researchers intending to use the PS Index should exercise caution and conduct necessary validation studies appropriate for their specific population and context, as established psychometric properties are not readily available.

Reliability

Information pertaining to the statistical reliability of the Problem Solving Index (PS Index) was not provided in the source documentation. Measures such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s Alpha) or test-retest reliability are critical for determining the stability and internal coherence of a psychological instrument.

The absence of reported reliability data suggests that subsequent researchers utilizing this five-item index should prioritize the calculation and reporting of reliability statistics before drawing robust conclusions based on the PS Index scores.

Factor Analysis

No formal factor analysis results were indicated for the Problem Solving Index. Factor analysis is typically employed to determine the underlying dimensional structure of a scale. Given the brevity of the index (only five items), it is likely intended to be a unidimensional measure of perceived problem solving leadership.

However, without empirical confirmation through exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis, the internal structure of the scale remains assumed rather than empirically proven. Future research could explore whether these five items truly load onto a single factor representing leadership problem-solving ability.

Instrument

Test Type: Index/Indicator

Format: Five-item self-report measure utilizing five-step interval response options (Likert-type scale).

Language Available: English (Original development language).

Population Group: Human

Age Group: Adult (Appropriate for military personnel).

Population Details: Sample drawn from Military Personnel, specifically U.S. Army infantry rifle squads and U.S. Air Force crews.

Test Methodology: Test Development, utilized within the context of experimental and correlational research.

Keywords

Leadership Perception, Group Dynamics, Military Training, Group effectiveness, Organizational Behavior, Psychometrics, Greer 1961

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not available.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not available.

Correspondence Address: Refer to the original publication source for correspondence details of F. L. Greer.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Problem Solving Index was developed in 1961, as reported in the seminal work by F. L. Greer. Permissions for use must be obtained by contacting the publisher of the original monograph, which is the American Psychological Association (APA), as the work appeared in Psychological Monographs. Fee information is dependent upon APA’s current licensing policies for historical instruments.

Reference’s

• Greer, F. L. (1961). Leader indulgence and group performance. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 75(12), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093809

Items of the Problem Solving Index (PS Index)

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

The Problem Solving Index consists of 5 items. Respondents rate each item using a five-step interval response format. The specific text of the items is contained within the original monograph, Greer (1961), but was not transcribed in the summary source material provided.