The first dedicated psychometric measure of consumer attachment to specific possessions, validated through qualitative analysis, item generation, and quantitative refinement in multiple student samples. Alpha 0.88–0.93 across validation studies; all items load saliently on a single factor with loadings >0.75. Attachment level predicts resistance to separation, distress at potential loss, unwillingness to sell or trade at market value, and willingness to pay well above market price to retain the possession. High-attachment possessions tend to be autobiographical objects, gifts, heirlooms, or items linked to significant life events (first car, childhood toy, jewellery from a loved one). The APS is widely used in research on the extended self, possession rituals, disposition behaviour, forced product loss, and the psychological costs of disaster or theft. Three antecedents consistently predict attachment: length of possession ownership, method of acquisition (gifted/inherited > purchased), and degree of inalienability (perceived uniqueness and non-replaceability). Mean attachment scores are higher for socially acquired possessions than market-acquired ones.
9-point scale (0=not at all to 8=extremely); items averaged for an overall attachment score (range 0–8). Respondents must be directed to think of a specific named possession before completing items.
Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.
The scale is possession-specific — not a general trait measure. Administer by asking respondents to identify a valued possession (or specify the target possession) and keep it in mind while responding to all items. The 0–8 (9-point) response scale is unusual; some researchers adapt to a 7-point (1–7) format for consistency with other Likert measures. Attachment is conceptually related to but distinct from possessiveness (a personality trait, Belk id:489) and brand attachment (which applies to brand categories — Park et al. 2010). Low-attachment possessions are easily replaceable, recently acquired, and functionally oriented; high-attachment possessions are irreplaceable, long-owned, and identity-linked. Attachment remains after the object's functional utility is exhausted — the measure is sensitive to the self-extension and extended self (Belk 1988) literature. Fernandez & Lastovicka (2011) extended the APS framework to study magical possession beliefs and contagion effects.
Ball, A.D., & Tasaki, L.H. (1992). The role and measurement of attachment in consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 1(2), 155–172.
Free access to 2455+ psychometric scales at PsychScales