Competence

What it measures

A five-item likert scale designed to measure the degree to which a person feels effectual and capable in his/her life, with an emphasis on the role played by a named person.

Response format

7-point Likert (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree)

Scale items

• Generally, __________ makes me feel very capable and effective.
• makes me feel inadequate or incompetent. (r)
• I feel that I can successfully complete difficult tasks and projects.
• I feel that I can take on and master hard challenges.
• I feel very capable in what I do.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Reported alpha coefficients range from .70 to .83 across samples or studies.

Citation

La Guardia, Jennifer G., Richard M. Ryan, Charles E. Couchman, and Edward L. Deci (2000), "Within-Person Variation in Security of Attachment: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective on Attachment, Need-Fulfillment and Well-Being," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79 (September), 367-84.

Keywords