Examining Individual Differences in the Internalization of Political Values: Validation of the Self-Determination Scale of Political Motivation

Abstract Three studies were conducted to further examine the psychometric credentials of the Self-Determination Scale of Political Motivation (SDSPM). This scale is based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991, 2000) and measures intrinsic, identified, introjected, and amotivated reasons for following politics. In Study 1, results from Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported the four-factor structure of the scale. In Study 2, test–retest results indicated that the four subscales show moderately high temporal reliability. The results from Study 3 provided further evidence for the predictive validity of the SDSPM as well as preliminary support for its discriminant validity. Parenting factors were also distinctively associated with the regulatory styles of the instrument. In the three studies, Cronbach's alphas indicated high internal consistency for each of the SDSPM's subcales. Overall, the results suggest that this scale can be used successfully to examine individual differences in the regulation of active involvement in political decision making.

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