Value Conflict (Decision)

What it measures

Nine semantic differential phrases measure the degree of internal conflict, ambivalence, and moral tension a person anticipates experiencing when making a decision that engages competing values.

Response format

6-point semantic differential

Scale items

• This would be a clear decision for me / This decision would require a lot of self-examination. [item may be truncated]
• I would be conflicted between what I feel I should do and what I would like to do / I would not feel conflicted. [item may be truncated]
• This would be a difficult decision for me / This would not be a difficult decision for me.
• I would feel a sense of conflict between my values in trying to make a decision / I would not feel a sense of conflict. [item may be truncated]
• There would be no wavering on which direction I would go / I would feel pulled in opposite directions. [item may be truncated]
• I would not feel any internal conflict about my decision / I would have a great deal of internal conflict. [item may be truncated]
• I would probably look back and wonder if I made the right decision / I would not look back. [item may be truncated]
• I feel somewhat guilty about the thoughts I had while working through my decision / I do not feel guilty. [item may be truncated]
• This is a situation for which I would need more information before reaching a conclusion. [item may be truncated]

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

Usage notes & scoring

Original to Burroughs and Rindfleisch (2002); developed through review of conflict theory. Alpha .93. Items are stated hypothetically, making the scale suitable for measuring anticipated rather than experienced conflict. Several items appear truncated—verify full wording against original article.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Burroughs, J. E., & Rindfleisch, A. (2002). Materialism and well-being: A conflicting values perspective. Journal of Consumer Research, 29(3), 348–370.

Keywords