Psychological Entitlement Scale

What it measures

Measures the stable belief that one deserves more and is entitled to more than others — a pervasive sense of special treatment, superior outcomes, and unique privileges. Psychological entitlement is associated with narcissism but is conceptually and empirically distinct from it — entitlement captures the belief that special treatment is deserved, while narcissism also encompasses grandiosity, exhibitionism, and exploitativeness. High entitlement predicts consumer complaint behaviour, expectations of premium service, low tolerance for service failures, demanding behaviour in retail and hospitality contexts, higher luxury brand preferences, and stronger reactions to perceived price unfairness. Increasingly relevant for understanding millennial and Gen Z consumer expectations in service contexts.

Response format

Likert (1–7, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

Scale items

• I honestly feel I'm just more deserving than others.
• Great things should come to me.
• If I were on the Titanic, I would deserve to be on the first lifeboat.
• I demand the best because I'm worth it.
• I do not necessarily deserve special treatment. (R)
• I deserve more things in my life.
• People like me deserve an extra break now and then.
• Things should go my way.
• I feel entitled to more of everything.

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

Usage notes & scoring

Score = mean. Higher = greater psychological entitlement. Particularly important for luxury hospitality, premium service, and high-end retail research — entitled consumers have significantly elevated service quality expectations and show disproportionately negative reactions to service failures. Entitlement is positively correlated with narcissism (NPI) and negatively with agreeableness. Generational research consistently finds higher entitlement among younger cohorts.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Campbell, W.K., Bonacci, A.M., Shelton, J., Exline, J.J., & Bushman, B.J. (2004). Psychological entitlement: Interpersonal consequences and validation of a self-report measure. Journal of Personality, 72(1), 29–46.

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