Development of an Attitude Scale to Measure Attitudes toward Humans' Use of Nonhuman Animals

Abstract

The objectives of this investigation were to develop a scale to measure attitudes towards animal use, decide upon the number of dimensions or scales needed, and test the reliability and validity of the dimension(s) obtained. Analysis showed the final scale to be unidimensional with evidence of reliability (Cronbach alpha = .99) and criterion validity via measurement of known groups. The known groups were derived from a random sample of members of the Animal Rights Information and Education Service (representing those opposed to humans' use of animals) and members of National Animal Damage Control Association (representing those supporting animal use). The final scale contained 48 items and was readable at Grade 6 which facilitates administration across a broad range of educational backgrounds and has utility for a variety of animal-use issues.