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Prosocial Tendencies Measure
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About Prosocial Tendencies Measure
Scale Name
Prosocial Tendencies Measure
Author Details
Gustavo Carlo and Amanda E. Randall
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
Imagine a world where people readily lend a helping hand, where compassion and altruism guide our actions, and where communities thrive on the collective good. This vision, while idealistic, forms the very foundation of the Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM), a tool designed to delve into the depths of our inherent capacity for helping others.
Developed in 2002 by Gustavo Carlo and Amanda E. Randall, both esteemed professors of psychology at Northern Illinois University, the PTM emerged from a desire to understand the intricate tapestry of prosocial behavior. It wasn’t just about helping, but about the why and the how, the motivations and nuances that drive us to act in the service of others.
Prosocial Tendencies Measure–Revised. The Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM) originally was developed to assess the self-report of six types of prosocial behaviors among college individuals (Carlo & Randall, 2002). Items for the PTM were selected from the previously developed prosocial disposition and behavior scales (Johnson et al., 1989; Rushton, Chrisjohn, & Fekken, 1981; Schroeder et al., 1995) and from responses to prosocial moral reasoning interviews (Eisenberg et al., 1995). Carlo and Randall (2001) reported adequate model fit coefficients using confirmatory factor analysis with college students.
The PTM was modified to use with younger adolescents in the present study. To develop the version for younger adolescents, a focus group (10 adolescents, ages 11 through 16) of adolescents was asked to evaluate the original PTM items for clarity and relevance and asked for suggestions to improve the items. After the slight revisions in the wording (for simpler vocabulary) and after adding two items based on suggestions from the focus group, the Prosocial Tendencies Measure–Revised (PTM-R) consists of 25 items that assess six types of prosocial behaviors.
The PTM takes the form of a self-report questionnaire, a window into the individual’s own perception of their helping tendencies. It delves into six distinct facets of prosocial behavior, each revealing a different shade of our helping nature:
- Altruistic: The selfless urge to help, driven by a genuine concern for others’ well-being, free from any expectation of personal gain.
- Anonymous: The quiet act of giving, where the satisfaction of helping itself outweighs the need for recognition.
- Compliant: Helping out of a sense of duty or obedience to rules or authority figures.
- Dire: The courageous response to immediate need, stepping up to help in times of crisis or emergency.
- Emotional: Helping driven by empathy and compassion, a deep understanding and sharing of another’s feelings.
- Public: Helping in open and visible settings, where the act of giving itself takes center stage.
Each facet is explored through a set of carefully crafted statements, inviting the individual to reflect on their own inclinations and behaviors. By scoring their agreement with each statement, a unique profile emerges, showcasing the specific constellation of prosocial tendencies that define their helping nature.
The PTM’s significance lies in its ability to move beyond simply measuring the frequency of helping behaviors. It offers a nuanced understanding of the motivations, contexts, and preferences that shape our helping choices. This deeper understanding has proven invaluable in various fields:
- Research: Psychologists and social scientists leverage the PTM to explore the psychological underpinnings of prosocial behavior, its development across the lifespan, and its role in fostering healthy communities.
- Education: Educators can utilize the PTM to cultivate prosocial values in students, encouraging empathy, responsibility, and active citizenship.
- Clinical settings: Therapists and counselors can gain insights into individuals’ prosocial tendencies to inform interventions aimed at promoting social skills, moral development, and healthy relationships.
The PTM is not without limitations. As a self-report measure, it relies on individuals’ honest self-perception, which may not always align perfectly with their actual behavior. Nonetheless, it remains a powerful tool for unlocking the complexities of prosocial behavior, offering a glimpse into the helpers within us and paving the way for a more compassionate and interconnected world.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Explain the purpose: Briefly and clearly explain the aim of the PTM, emphasizing its focus on understanding helping tendencies, not judging individuals.
- Confidentiality: Assure participants of anonymity and data confidentiality to encourage honest responses.
- Instructions: Provide thorough instructions on how to complete the questionnaire, including reading each statement carefully and using the response scale consistently.
- Openness: Encourage participants to answer truthfully and express any doubts or questions they may have.
Reliability and Validity
The Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM) has become a cornerstone in understanding the multifaceted world of helping behaviors. But as with any tool, its effectiveness hinges on its reliability and validity. Let’s delve into these crucial aspects to assess the PTM’s ability to accurately capture the helping tendencies within us.
The PTM demonstrates robust internal consistency, meaning its subscales consistently measure distinct facets of prosocial behavior. Research shows Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.70 for each subscale, indicating good internal reliability. This consistency ensures scores accurately reflect an individual’s true prosocial inclinations.
Further bolstering reliability, the PTM exhibits good test-retest reliability. When individuals retake the measure after a certain period, their scores remain relatively stable, suggesting the PTM captures enduring tendencies rather than temporary fluctuations.
The PTM shines in its construct validity, demonstrating a strong connection between what it measures (prosocial tendencies) and other relevant concepts. Studies have found correlations between PTM scores and various prosocial behaviors, personality traits like agreeableness and empathy, and even physiological markers like reduced heart rate during prosocial tasks.
The PTM also showcases discriminant validity, meaning it effectively distinguishes between different constructs. Scores on the PTM’s six subscales are often moderately correlated, indicating they capture independent aspects of prosocial behavior, not simply a general “helping” label.
Available Versions
25-Items
Reference
Carlo, G., Hausmann, A., Christiansen, S., & Randall, B. A. (2003). Sociocognitive and behavioral correlates of a measure of prosocial tendencies for adolescents. The journal of early adolescence, 23(1), 107-134.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the PTM measure?
A: Six types of prosocial tendencies: altruistic, anonymous, compliant, dire, emotional, and public.
Q: How does it work?
A: Self-report questionnaire with statements you rate your agreement with.
Q: Is it reliable?
A: Yes, scores on each subscale are consistent and stable over time.
Q: Is it valid?
A: Yes, scores correlate with actual prosocial behavior, related personality traits, and even physiological markers.
Q: Who uses the PTM?
A: Researchers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in understanding prosocial behavior.
Q: Are there limitations?
A: Yes, self-report can be biased, and cultural factors can influence responses.
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