This scale measures how much a person feels the need to justify their actions, give reasons for what they do, and explain their decisions. Fan, Rucker, and Jiang (2023) used it in Studies 2 and 3 of research on how power shapes the need for justification among senders and receivers of marketing communications. The key words in the items appear to draw on work by Hsee et al. (2003) and Tetlock and Boettger (1989).
9-point scale (1=not at all, 9=very much)
Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.
Alphas were .94 (Study 2) and .89 (Study 3) (Fan, Rucker, and Jiang 2023, pp. 240-241); validity was not discussed. Stem: 'In general, to what extent do you think that you need to:'. The source of the scale was not stated; Hsee et al. (2003) and Tetlock and Boettger (1989) were cited parenthetically and appear to have motivated the item wording rather than supplying the items.
Fan, Linying (Sophie), Derek D. Rucker, and Yuwei Jiang (2023), "Power and Need-for-Justification: Asymmetrical Effects on Senders and Receivers in Marketing Communications," Journal of Consumer Research, 50 (2), 236-254.
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