Scale Analysis

The Materialism Scale (MS) is a measurement tool used in psychology and sociology to assess an individual’s materialistic values and beliefs. This scale consists of a series of statements or questions to which participants are asked to respond, usually in the form of a Likert scale, ranging from strong agreement to strong disagreement. These statements cover various aspects of materialism, such as the appreciation of expensive objects, the enjoyment of purchasing new things, and the desire to own possessions that impress others. The scale evaluates the extent to which a person perceives happiness and success through the acquisition of material goods. High scores on the scale indicate a stronger orientation toward materialism, while low scores suggest that the individual attributes less importance to material possessions. This scale is useful for understanding how materialistic values influence people’s behavior and attitudes, and it can be used in research exploring the relationship between materialism and other psychological or social variables, such as well-being, life satisfaction, and consumer behavior.

Scale Objective

The objective of this scale is to evaluate and measure the extent to which materialistic values and beliefs influence an individual’s life and behavior. Specifically, the scale aims to understand how important the acquisition and possession of material goods are for people’s sense of happiness, success, and self-esteem. Through its statements and questions, the scale seeks to reveal how individuals perceive and assess the value of material possessions in their lives. Collecting this data is valuable for researchers and professionals in psychology, sociology, and marketing, as it allows for a deeper understanding of the driving forces behind consumer behavior and the relationship between materialism and psychological well-being. Moreover, the scale can help design interventions and programs that aim to reduce the negative impacts of materialism on society.

Scale Calibration

The MS-18 consists of 18 items, which are rated as follows:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Bibliography

Richins, M. L., & Dawson, S. (1992). Consumer values orientation for materialism and its measurement: Scale development and validation. Journal of Consumer Research, 19, 303–316.
Richins, M. L. (2004). The material values scale: Measurement properties and development of a short form. Journal of Consumer Research, 31, 209–219.
Richins, Marsha L., & Dawson, Scott. (2004).