Description

The Short Dogmatism Scale, developed by Troldahl, is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure dogmatism, which refers to the rigidity of a person’s beliefs and their resistance to change or consider alternative viewpoints. Dogmatism is closely associated with authoritarianism and closed-mindedness, and it has been studied extensively in social psychology. The SDST-20 is a shortened version of the original scale, consisting of 20 items that respondents rate on a Likert scale, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).

Data Analysis and Usage

The SDST-20 is used to quantify the level of dogmatism in individuals. The data collected from the scale can be analyzed using various statistical methods:
Reliability Analysis: To ensure the consistency of the scale, Cronbach’s alpha is commonly used. A high alpha (usually > 0.70) indicates that the scale is reliable.
Factor Analysis: This can be conducted to verify the dimensionality of the scale, ensuring that it measures a single construct or identifying underlying factors if it is multidimensional.
Correlation Analysis: The SDST-20 scores can be correlated with other psychological constructs, such as openness to experience, authoritarianism, or prejudice, to explore relationships between dogmatism and these variables.
Mean Comparison: Comparing mean scores between different demographic groups (e.g., age, gender, education level) can provide insights into how dogmatism varies across populations.
Regression Analysis: This can be used to predict dogmatism based on other variables, such as socio-economic status, political affiliation, or exposure to diverse viewpoints.
The results of these analyses can inform both academic research and practical applications, such as tailoring interventions to reduce dogmatism or understanding its role in social and political contexts.

Calibration

Calibration of the SDST-20 involves ensuring that the scale accurately measures the construct of dogmatism across different populations. This may include:
Norming: Establishing normative data by administering the scale to a large, representative sample.
Item Response Theory (IRT): This advanced method can be used to evaluate the performance of each item on the scale, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to measuring dogmatism.
Cultural Adaptation: If the scale is used in different cultural contexts, it may require translation and adaptation to maintain validity and reliability across diverse groups.
Test-Retest Reliability: Ensuring that the scale yields consistent results over time when administered to the same individuals.
Calibration is critical to maintain the validity and reliability of the SDST-20, particularly when applied in new or diverse populations.

Bibliography

Rokeach, M. (1960). The Open and Closed Mind: Investigations into the Nature of Belief Systems and Personality Systems. Basic Books.
Troldahl, V. C., & Powell, F. A. (1965). A Short-Form Dogmatism Scale for Use in Field Studies. Social Forces, 44(2), 211-214.
Rokeach, M. (1967). Attitude Change and Behavioral Change. Public Opinion Quarterly, 31(1), 9-19.
Altemeyer, B. (1996). The Authoritarian Specter. Harvard University Press.
Schwartz, S. H., & Huismans, S. (1995). Value Priorities and Religiosity in Four Western Religions. Social Psychology Quarterly, 58(2), 88-107.