Regulatory Focus Questionnaire (RFQ)

Higgins, E. T., Friedman, R. S., Harlow, R. E., Idson, L. C., Ayduk, O. N., & Taylor, A. (2001). Achievement orientations from subjective histories of success: Promotion pride versus prevention pride. European Journal of Social Psychology, 31(1), 3-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.27

The measure and scoring key: Higgins et al. (2001) RFQ.doc
More information about the RFQ is available online on the Higgins lab website. See also the strength measure.

	Table of Contents
	Description
	History of Use
	References

Description:

Purpose		The RFQ was designed to assess individuals' orientations toward their goals. The RFQ differentiates between: A prevention focus that emphasizes safety and responsibility, views goals as oughts, and is concerned with non-losses and losses. Someone with a prevention focus is especially sensitive to the difference between "0" and "-1" (maintenance) and prefers a vigilant strategy. A promotion focus that emphasizes hopes and accomplishments, views goals as ideals, and is concerned with gains and non-gains. Someone with a promotion focus is especially sensitive to the difference between "0" and "+1" (attainment) and prefers an eager strategy. The Self-Guide Strength Measure is another measure of regulatory focus. For regulatory focus induction tasks or more information about Regulatory Focus theory (Higgins, 1997), visit the Higgins lab website.
Questions		11 items using 5-point scales (varying)
Sub-scales		2 sub-scales: Prevention Promontion
Domain
Psychometrics
Sample items		How often did you obey rules and regulations that were established by your parents? (Prevention) How often have you accomplished things that got you 'psyched' to work even harder? (Promotion)

References:

Scale:

Higgins, E. T., Friedman, R. S., Harlow, R. E., Idson, L. C., Ayduk, O. N., & Taylor, A. (2001). Achievement orientations from subjective histories of success: Promotion pride versus prevention pride. European Journal of Social Psychology, 31(1), 3-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.27

Regulatory Focus Theory:

Higgins, E. T. (1997). Beyond pleasure and pain. American Psychologist, 52(12), 1280-1300. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.52.12.1280

For a discussion of measures of regulatory focus:

Summerville, A., & Roese, N. J. (2008). Self-report measures of individual differences in regulatory focus: A cautionary note. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(1), 247-254.doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2007.05.005 |

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