Assessing reliability and validity of the Attitudes Toward Poverty Short Form scale.

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Authors
Millechek, Jeno Razor
Advisor
Kite, Mary E.
Issue Date
2020-07-18
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
Department of Psychological Science
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Attitudes Toward Poverty Short Form (ATP-SF) scale. The ATP-SF has been used by researchers to measure beliefs about poverty (e.g., Clark, Sedlacek, & Watson, 2016), but the scale had not been validated after its initial development. A confirmatory factor analysis assessed the factor structure of the ATP-SF. The results supported the 3-factor structure proposed by Yun and Weaver (2010). The reliability of the ATP-SF was assessed by McDonald’s w and split-halves odd-even indices. Both indices suggested good reliability. To assess convergent validity, scores on the ATP-SF were correlated with scores on the Poverty Attribution Survey (Bennett, Raiz, & Davis, 2016). The results support the convergent validity of the ATP-SF. To assess whether the ATP-SF measure beliefs about poverty independently from prejudice towards African Americans, scores on the ATP-SF were correlated with scores on the Symbolic Racism 2000 Scale (Henry & Sears, 2002). The correlation suggests that beliefs about poverty are distinct from prejudice against African Americans. Additionally, ATP-SF scores were correlated with a feeling thermometer assessing emotional reactions to the poor. Correlations suggest the ATP-SF and the feeling thermometer assess distinct constructs. Scores on the ATP-SF and an economic ladder measure were also used to predict willingness to volunteer to help poor people. The ATPSF was a significant predictor of willingness to volunteer, but predictive power was very small. Participants’ self-placement on an economic ladder did not significantly predict their willingness to volunteer. Scores on the SDO7 scale, a measure of social dominance orientation (SDO), were found to be correlated with scores on the ATP-SF, indicating that people higher in SDO tend to hold more negative beliefs about poverty.

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