What issue did the F-Scale have?

What issue did the F-Scale have?

• A. It had too many reverse-scored items
• B. It measured empathy
• C. Every item worded in the same direction leading to acquiescence bias
• D. It was only tested on Milgram's participants

Answer: (C)

Acquiescence bias from uniform item wording is what tripped up the F-Scale. When nearly all items point in the same direction, people who have a general tendency to agree with statements will score higher regardless of their true beliefs. That makes the test measure a response style as much as the intended personality trait, hurting its validity. The F-Scale was designed to tap authoritarian tendencies, but the lack of balance in how items were worded meant scores could reflect a participant’s yea-saying more than their actual authoritarian attitudes. The other options don’t fit: the issue wasn’t empathy, nor was it confined to Milgram’s participants, and the problem wasn’t about having too many reverse-scored items.

Acquiescence bias from uniform item wording is what tripped up the F-Scale. When nearly all items point in the same direction, people who have a general tendency to agree with statements will score higher regardless of their true beliefs. That makes the test measure a response style as much as the intended personality trait, hurting its validity. The F-Scale was designed to tap authoritarian tendencies, but the lack of balance in how items were worded meant scores could reflect a participant’s yea-saying more than their actual authoritarian attitudes. The other options don’t fit: the issue wasn’t empathy, nor was it confined to Milgram’s participants, and the problem wasn’t about having too many reverse-scored items.