Intrinsic/Extrinsic Measurement: I/E-Revised and Single-Item Scales

1989/09/01 by Richard L. Gorsuch, Susan McPherson · 1 voice · 4 citations
Social Sciences · #Religion and Society Interactions #Religion, Society, and Development #Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

paper · doi:10.2307/1386745

openalex publication_date 1989/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/07

Abstract

Factor analyses of traditional and age-universal measures of intrinsic and extrinsic religion have identified two subcategories of extrinsicness, suggesting the original scales need revision. In this study, confirmatory multiple group factor analyses confirmed this suspicion, identifying extrinsic items concerned with social relationships (Es) and with personal benefits (Ep). The analyses resulted in a revised intrinsic scale which is now partially counterbalanced for acquiescence, an Es scale, an Ep scale, and three single items which may also be used for measuring these constructs. These scales, labeled I/E-R, have reliabilities equal to or better than those of the original scales.

Cited by

• The Implications of Sex Differences on Volunteer Preferences
• Sacrificing Animals in the Name of Scientific Authority: The Relationship Between Pro-Scientific Mindset and the Lethal Use of Animals in Biomedical Experimentation
• Handbook of Religion and Health
• Stage 2 Registered Report: Parental and Children’s Religiosity in Early Childhood: Implications for Transmission

Discussions

• Top cited: Religion as an end in itself vs. a means to an end? Gorsuch & McPherson (1989) refined Allport's famous I/E scales & showed that extrinsic religion splits into social (Es) & personal (Ep) d [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]