APA Dictionary of Psychology

psychological scale

Updated on 04/19/2018

a system of measurement for a cognitive, social, emotional, or behavioral variable or function, such as personality, intelligence, attitudes, or beliefs.
any instrument that can be used to make such a measurement. A psychological scale may comprise a single item measured with a variety of response formats (e.g., semantic differential, multiple choice, checklist) or be a collection of items with similar formats. Also called psychometric scale. See also psychological test.

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