Sexual Consent Scale, Revised

Abstract

The Sexual Consent Scale, Revised (SCS-R; Humphreys, 2004; Humphreys & Brousseau, 2009; Humphreys & Herold, 2007) is a 40-item self-report instrument developed to quantitatively assess both the attitudes toward and behaviors surrounding the negotiation of sexual consent between partners. The scale was initially developed using qualitative data from semi-structured focus groups with university students to ensure comprehensive thematic coverage of consent negotiation.

The SCS-R was theoretically grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which guided the addition of items to maximize the scale’s predictive utility regarding behavioral intent. The scale uses a 7-point Likert-type scale and is structured into six distinct factors: four attitudinal subscales (Positive Attitude Towards Establishing Consent, Lack of Perceived Behavioral Control, Relationship Length Norms, and Pro Assuming Consent) and two behavioral subscales (Indirect Consent Behaviors and Awareness of Consent). Normed primarily on heterosexual undergraduate students, the scale demonstrates strong overall reliability (α = .89) and established construct and predictive validity.

Keywords

Sexual Consent Scale, SCS-R, sexual consent, attitudes, behaviors, Theory of Planned Behavior, psychological assessment, sexual communication, relationship norms, perceived behavioral control

Authors

Terry P. Humphreys, Ed Herold, Melanie Brousseau

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Sexual Consent Scale, Revised (SCS-R), is to provide a standardized, empirically validated tool for measuring individual differences in attitudes and behaviors concerning the negotiation and establishment of sexual consent with sexual partners. The scale is designed to capture the complexities of how individuals perceive and enact consent in intimate contexts, serving as a critical instrument for research in sexual health, education, and assault prevention.

The revision of the original scale was specifically undertaken to align the instrument with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). This refinement maximized the instrument’s utility as a predictive tool, particularly concerning the intent to verbally negotiate consent, by ensuring adequate coverage of the three TPB predictors: attitude toward the action, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.

Construct

The SCS-R measures the psychological construct of sexual consent negotiation, operationalized through six factors reflecting different dimensions of attitudes and behaviors regarding consent. The scale captures both proactive, positive attitudes toward consent and problematic beliefs, such as assuming consent or relying heavily on relationship duration. The theoretical foundation is the Theory of Planned Behavior, suggesting that behavioral intent (e.g., intent to ask for consent) is determined by these underlying attitudes and perceptions.

The six factors derived from the SCS-R structure are:

• Attitudinal Subscales: Positive Attitude Towards Establishing Consent (9 items), Lack of Perceived Behavioral Control (9 items), Relationship Length Norms (5 items), and (Pro) Assuming Consent (7 items).
• Behavioral Subscales: Indirect Consent Behaviors (6 items) and Awareness of Consent (4 items).

Validity

The validity of the SCS-R was established through examinations of construct and predictive validity. Construct validity was assessed by correlating the six subscales of the SCS-R with two previously established measures: the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (SSSS) and Hurlbert’s Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA).

As hypothesized, sensation seeking exhibited correlations indicating that individuals who are prone to taking sexual risks are less likely to formally negotiate consent. Specifically, sensation seeking was negatively correlated with positive attitudes toward establishing consent (r = −.15, p < .05). Conversely, it was positively correlated with assuming consent (r = .15, p < .05), believing that longer relationships reduce consent necessity (relationship length norms; r = .15, p < .05), and using more indirect consent behaviors (r = .18, p < .05).

Sexual assertiveness was logically connected to awareness and control. Assertiveness was negatively correlated with a lack of perceived behavioral control (r = −.35, p < .01) and positively correlated with awareness of consent issues (r = .24, p < .01) and using more indirect consent behaviors (r = .23, p < .01). Predictive validity, tested via standard regression analysis using “intent to verbally ask for sexual consent” as the outcome, showed that positive attitudes, greater perceived behavioral control, fewer indirect approaches, and higher awareness were statistically unique predictors (R² = .39).

Reliability

Based on a dataset of 396 completed surveys, the overall internal consistency for the entire SCS-R scale was found to be strong, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .89. Internal consistency for each subscale was also measured using coefficient alpha (α):

• Positive Attitude Towards Establishing Consent: α = .83
• Lack of Perceived Behavioral Control: α = .85
• Relationship Length Norms: α = .72
• (Pro) Assuming Consent: α = .68
• Indirect Consent Behaviors: α = .78
• Awareness of Consent: α = .72

Test-retest reliability was established over a 5-week interval using a sample of 45 students. The coefficients for the six subscales demonstrated acceptable temporal stability, ranging from .63 to .71 (Humphreys & Brousseau, 2009).

Factor Analysis

The SCS-R is a 40-item scale that resulted from the refinement of the original SCS to incorporate the predictive elements of the Theory of Planned Behavior. A principal components factor analysis using varimax rotation was performed, confirming a robust six-factor structure.

The final factor structure successfully accounted for 48.7% of the total variance in the scale responses (Humphreys & Brousseau, 2009). The identified factors, along with their item count and mean scores (M), are:

• Factor 1: Positive Attitude Towards Establishing Consent (9 items, M = 4.67)
• Factor 2: Lack of Perceived Behavioral Control (9 items, M = 3.18)
• Factor 3: Relationship Length Norms (5 items, M = 5.02)
• Factor 4: (Pro) Assuming Consent (7 items, M = 3.08)
• Factor 5: Indirect Consent Behaviors (6 items, M = 4.97)
• Factor 6: Awareness of Consent (4 items, M = 3.55)

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Psychometric scale

Format: 40 items utilizing a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree). Completion time is approximately 20 minutes.

Language Available: English (Original development)

Population Group: Undergraduate students

Age Group: Young Adults (University age)

Population Details: The scale was normed on heterosexual undergraduate students across three universities.

Test Methodology: Can be administered either as a traditional paper-and-pencil survey or as an online survey.

Scoring

Items are scored on a continuous scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 7 (Strongly Agree). To maintain consistency in interpretation, three items are reverse scored: Items 17, 34, and 40.

Subscale scores are calculated by summing the scores on the relevant items and then dividing by the total number of items within that specific subscale. This procedure yields a mean score for each of the six factors, providing researchers with a detailed profile of the respondent’s consent attitudes and behaviors.

Keywords

Sexual Consent Scale, SCS-R, sexual ethics, relationship dynamics, sexual communication, college students, psychological testing, self-report, sexual assertiveness, sensation seeking

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Terry P. Humphreys, Psychology Department, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permission to use the SCS or the SCS-R for research or clinical purposes must be obtained directly from the corresponding author, Terry P. Humphreys.

Test Year (Original SCS): 2007

Test Year (SCS-R Publication): 2009

Reference’s

• Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. In J. Kuhi & J. Beckmann (Eds.), Action-control: From cognition to behavior (pp. 11–39). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.
• Ajzen, I. (2001). Attitudes. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 27–58.
• Ajzen, I. (2005). Attitudes, personality, and behavior (2nd ed.). Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press/McGraw-Hill.
• Humphreys, T. P. (2004). Understanding sexual consent: An empirical investigation of the normative script for young heterosexual adults. In M. Cowling & P. Reynolds (Eds.), Making sense of sexual consent (pp. 209–225). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
• Humphreys, T. P., & Brousseau, M. (2009). The Sexual Consent Scale— Revised: Development, reliability, and preliminary validity. The Journal of Sex Research, 46, 1–9.
• Humphreys, T. P., & Herold, E. (2007). Sexual consent in heterosexual dating relationships: Attitudes and behaviours of university students. Sex Roles, 57, 305–315.
• Hurlbert, D. F. (1991). The role of assertiveness in female sexuality: A comparative study between sexually assertive and sexually non- assertive women. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 17(3), 183–190.
• Kalichman, S. C., & Rompa, D. (1995). Sexual sensation seeking and sexual compulsivity scales: Reliability, validity, and predicting HIV risk behavior. Journal of Personality Assessment, 65, 586–601.
• Morokoff, P. J., Quina, K., Harlow, L. L., Whitmire, L., Grimley, D. M., Gibson, P. R., et al. (1997). Sexual assertiveness scale (SAS) for women: Development and validation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 790–804.

Items of the Sexual Consent Scale, Revised

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

Instructions: Please note that the term sexual consent is used extensively throughout this questionnaire. Please use the definition of sexual consent below when answering the questions that follow.

Sexual consent: the freely given verbal or nonverbal communication of a feeling of willingness to engage in sexual activity.

Using the following scale, please circle the number that best describes how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just your opinions.

Factor 1: Positive Attitude Towards Establishing Consent

1. I feel that sexual consent should always be obtained before the start of any sexual activity.

2. I think it is equally important to obtain sexual consent in all relationships regardless of whether or not they have had sex before.

3. I believe that asking for sexual consent is in my best interest because it reduces any misinterpretations that might arise.

4. I feel that verbally asking for sexual consent should occur before proceeding with any sexual activity.

5. When initiating sexual activity, I believe that one should always assume they do not have sexual consent.

6. I believe that it is just as necessary to obtain consent for genital fondling as it is for sexual intercourse.

7. I think that consent should be asked before any kind of sexual behavior, including kissing or petting.

8. I feel it is the responsibility of both partners to make sure sexual consent is established before sexual activity begins.

9. Before making sexual advances, I think that one should assume ‘no’ until there is clear indication to proceed.

Factor 2: (Lack of) Perceived Behavioral Control

10. I would have difficulty asking for consent because it would spoil the mood.

11. I am worried that my partner might think I’m weird or strange if I asked for sexual consent before starting any sexual activity.

12. I think that verbally asking for sexual consent is awkward.

13. I would worry that, if other people knew I asked for sexual consent before starting sexual activity, they would think I was weird or strange.

14. I would have difficulty asking for consent because it doesn’t really fit with how I like to engage in sexual activity.

15. I believe that verbally asking for sexual consent reduces the pleasure of the encounter.

16. I would have a hard time verbalizing my consent in a sexual encounter because I am too shy.

17. I feel confident that I could ask for consent from a new sexual partner [R].

18. I would not want to ask a partner for consent because it would remind me that I’m sexually active.

Factor 3: Relationship Length Norms

19. I believe that the need for asking for sexual consent decreases as the length of an intimate relationship increases.

20. I think that obtaining sexual consent is more necessary in a casual sexual encounter than in a committed relationship.

21. I think that obtaining sexual consent is more necessary in a new relationship than in a committed relationship.

22. If a couple has a long history of consenting sexual activity with each other, I do not believe that they need to ask for consent during each sexual encounter.

23. I believe that partners are less likely to ask for sexual consent the longer they are in a relationship.

Factor 4: (Pro) Assuming Consent

24. I think it is okay to assume consent and proceed sexually until the partner indicates “no.”

25. If a sexual request is made and the partner indicates “no,” I feel that it is okay to continue negotiating the request.

26. I think nonverbal behaviors are as effective as verbal communication to indicate sexual consent.

27. Not asking for sexual consent is not really a big deal.

28. In making a sexual advance, I believe that it is okay to assume consent unless you hear a “no.”

29. I believe it is enough to ask for consent at the beginning of a sexual encounter.

30. I believe that sexual intercourse is the only sexual activity that requires explicit verbal consent.

Factor 5: Indirect Behavioral Approach

31. Typically I communicate sexual consent to my partner using nonverbal signals and body language.

32. Typically I ask for consent by making a sexual advance and waiting for a reaction, so I know whether or not to continue.

33. It is easy to accurately read my current (or most recent) partner’s non-verbal signals as indicating consent or non-consent to sexual activity.

34. I always verbally ask for consent before I initiate a sexual encounter [R].

35. I don’t have to ask or give my partner sexual consent because my partner knows me well enough.

36. I don’t have to ask or give my partner sexual consent because I have a lot of trust in my partner to “do the right thing.”

Factor 6: Awareness of Consent

37. I have discussed sexual consent issues with a friend.

38. I have heard sexual consent issues being discussed by other students on campus.

39. I have discussed sexual consent issues with my current (or most recent) partner at times other than during sexual encounters.

40. I have not given much thought to the topic of sexual consent [R].