Social Value-Need Scale

Abstract

The Social Value-Need Scale, developed by Thomas E. Bolduc in 1960, is a psychological instrument designed to quantify and assess individual differences in behavioral responses when facing social value-need conflicts. Developed specifically for use with individuals diagnosed with Intellectual Development Disorder (historically referred to as mental retardation), the scale aims to understand how underlying needs and societal values interact in decision-making processes.

The scale was rigorously constructed, initially comprising 141 items based on research criteria describing conflicts between combinations of four values and five needs. Each item employs a forced-choice format, requiring the respondent to select between two alternate responses—one representing a core value and the other representing a basic need. Through expert review and subsequent elimination based on low or negative reliability coefficients, the final instrument was reduced to 95 items. Initial testing demonstrated strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability, particularly among the target population of institutionalized adolescent females.

Keywords

Assertiveness, Authority, Conflict, Dominance, Factor Analysis, Needs, Obedience, Personality Measures, Rebelliousness, Social Values, Intellectual Development Disorder, Test-Retest Reliability, Forced-Choice.

Authors

Bolduc, Thomas E.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Social Value-Need Scale is to provide a standardized method for assessing the characteristic response patterns of individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder when confronted with situations that necessitate a choice between a social value and a personal need. This assessment helps researchers and clinicians understand the hierarchy of motivations influencing behavior in this specific population group.

Construct

The scale measures the interplay between two central psychological constructs: Social Value-Need Conflicts and the individual differences observed within the context of Intellectual Development Disorder. The core hypothesis underpinning the scale is that responses to conflict situations reveal fundamental personality structures and motivational priorities.

The items are specifically designed to pit four defined social values against five fundamental needs, forcing a resolution through a forced-choice response. The resulting patterns of choices are interpreted as reflecting the individual’s tendency toward social conformity (value adherence) versus personal satisfaction (need fulfillment).

Validity

Based on the initial publication data, specific evidence regarding the validity of the Social Value-Need Scale was not explicitly indicated or reported by the author. Further research would be required to establish various forms of validity, such as construct validity, criterion validity, or predictive validity, necessary for comprehensive psychological assessment standards.

Reliability

The scale demonstrated high levels of reliability during its initial testing phase on institutionalized females. The use of rigorous item elimination based on statistical criteria contributed to the instrument’s strong internal consistency.

• The mean test-retest reliability coefficient was strong, reported at .87.
• The mean item reliability coefficient, indicating consistency across individual item responses, was notably high at .93.

Factor Analysis

A comprehensive factor analysis was conducted on the intercorrelations of the scale items, resulting in the extraction of six distinct factors. These factors provide insight into the underlying dimensions of social value-need conflict resolution observed in the population studied. The factors primarily relate to patterns of submission, assertiveness, and dominance concerning both peer groups and authority figures.

The six extracted factors are:

1. Preference for submission to adult authority figures.
2. Preference for loyalty and protection of others.
3. Submissiveness in conflicts with authority but assertiveness in peer relationships.
4. Assertiveness and dominance in peer or authority figure relationships.
5. Preference to appear dominant in peer relationships.
6. Rebellious attitude toward authority figures.

Instrument

Test Type: Rating Scale; Personality Measure

Format: Paper; Interview; Other (Forced-choice decision between two alternate responses—one representing a value and the other a need.)

Language Available: Not Specified (Presumed English based on publication.)

Population Group: Human; Female

Age Group: Adolescents (Ages 14-18)

Population Details: Sample consisted of institutionalized females, ages 14-18, with an IQ range of 57 to 78, falling within the range classified as Intellectual Development Disorder.

Test Methodology: Administration involves presenting the respondent with 95 items, each detailing a familiar social conflict. The respondent is required to make a forced-choice between the two competing options (Value vs. Need).

Keywords

Assertiveness, Authority, Conflict, Dominance, Factor Structure, Needs, Obedience, Personality Measures, Rebelliousness, Social Values, Intellectual Development Disorder, Test Development, Test-Retest Reliability.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not Specified

Affiliation Email addresses: Not Specified

Correspondence Address: Not Specified

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Not Specified.

Fee Structure: Not Specified.

Test Year: 1960.

Reference’s

Bolduc, T. E. (1960). Social value-need patterns in mental retardates. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24(6), 472–479. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0041684

Items of the Social Value-Need Scale

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

The test items for the Social Value-Need Scale are not publicly available in the source documentation. Interested parties should contact the original author or publisher for information regarding obtaining the 95 finalized items.