Socialization Scale

Abstract

The Socialization Scale, developed by Harrison G. Gough in 1960, is a concise, 54-item instrument derived from a longer initial measure created by Gough and Peterson (1952). Its primary function is the measurement of Asocial Behavior and the positioning of individuals along the socialization continuum. The scale is theoretically grounded in Role Theory, which emphasizes the assessment of self-view and role-taking experiences within social interaction. The development process was rigorous, initially involving the administration of over 200 diagnostic items to diverse experimental groups, including high school students, nondelinquent disciplinary problems, and institutionalized delinquents. Statistical analysis identified 64 items correlating significantly with the socialization criterion. Further refinement, using a first offender versus repeater dichotomy, yielded the final 54-item shortened version. Early testing demonstrated strong Systematic Validity when applied to both male and female delinquent and control groups.

Keywords

Personality Measures, Socialization Scale, Test Development, Asocial Behavior, Antisocial Behavior, Psychosocial Factors, Socialization, Test Construction

Authors

Gough, Harrison G.

Purpose

The fundamental purpose of the Socialization Scale is to provide a standardized tool capable of differentiating between individuals exhibiting socialized behavior and those demonstrating asocial behavior. By measuring these characteristics, the scale aims to position individuals or defined groups along a quantitative socialization continuum, allowing for psychological categorization and research into differential personality characteristics.

Construct

The scale measures the psychological construct of Socialization. This construct, within the context of the scale’s development, relates to the degree to which an individual has internalized the norms, values, and expectations of their societal group, thereby minimizing behaviors deemed antisocial or disruptive. The scale specifically attempts to capture the elements of self-view and role psychology derived from Role Theory that reflect successful or unsuccessful social integration.

Validity

Although specific validity coefficients (such as convergent or discriminant validity indices) were not detailed in the summary source content, the initial development process provided evidence of strong systematic validity. This validity was established by demonstrating the scale’s effectiveness in distinguishing between criterion groups: male delinquents versus nondelinquents, and female delinquents versus female controls. The scale’s ability to consistently differentiate these groups across genders and behavioral classifications supports its utility as a measure of the socialization criterion.

Reliability

Specific reliability coefficients (e.g., test-retest reliability or internal consistency measures like Cronbach’s Alpha) were not indicated in the original documentation provided. While the scale demonstrated strong Systematic Validity, researchers intending to utilize the scale should consult subsequent academic literature to ascertain modern reliability estimates, which are essential for ensuring the consistency and stability of the measurement.

Factor Analysis

Specific details regarding factor analysis were not indicated in the source documentation. The scale construction relied heavily on criterion-keying methodology, where items were selected based on their significant correlation with the socialization criterion (i.e., differentiating delinquents from non-delinquents). Modern psychometric evaluations would typically require confirmatory or exploratory factor analysis to define the underlying dimensional structure of the 54 items.

Instrument

Test Type: Rating Scale

Format: Paper (Original Administration Method)

Language Available: English (Original Language)

Population Group: Human; Male; Female

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (Implied by the use of high school students and institutionalized populations in the development sample)

Population Details: Samples used during development included male delinquents, male nondelinquents, female delinquents, and female controls, suggesting applicability across diverse behavioral and gender groups.

Test Methodology: The scale uses diagnostic items designed to assess self-view and role psychology, administered in a paper-and-pencil format.

Keywords

Personality Measures, Socialization Scale, Role Theory, Antisocial Behavior, Psychosocial Factors, Delinquency, Test Construction, Rating Scale

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not Available

Affiliation Email addresses: Not Available

Correspondence Address: Not Available (Contact information for Harrison G. Gough or the publisher should be sought for current correspondence.)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 1960

Permissions: The scale may be used for Research and Teaching purposes, though researchers should verify current copyright and usage agreements with the publisher or estate of the author.

Fees: Fee information is not provided and must be obtained from the scale publisher.

Reference’s

• Gough, H. (1960). Theory and measurement of socialization. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24(1), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0044749

Items of the Socialization Scale

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

Test items are not available in this source entry. Please contact the author or publisher for obtaining the items for the 54-item Socialization Scale.