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The competitive attitude scale (CAS): a multidimensional measure of competitiveness in adolescence


Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry
Ersilia Menesini, Fulvio Tassi, Annalaura Nocentini
Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Florence, Italy
Fulvio Tassi, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Florence, Italy
Annalaura Nocentini, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Florence, Italy

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the structure and the construct validity of the Competitive Attitude Scale (CAS) among adolescents. This is composed by two dimensions Hypercompetitive Attitude (HCA scale by Ryckman et al.1) and Personal Development Competition Attitude (PDCA scale by Ryckman et al.2). 1011 high school students (583 males and 428 females; age range 14- 16 years; M=14.96; DS=.80) took part at the study. Results from Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed the presence of two dimensions: hypercompetitive attitudes and developmental competitive attitudes which are moderately and positively associated. Following previous literature, the Competitive Attitude Scale can represent a parsimonious measure able to detect these two competitive styles during adolescence.

Keywords

adolescence, competitiveness, multidimensional, scale, construct validity, motivations, orientations, PDCA, dogmatism, authoritarianism, prosocial behavior, hypercompetitive attitude, maladaptive behaviors

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