Self-Guide Strength Measure (SGSM)

Higgins, E. T., Shah, J., & Friedman, R. (1997). Emotional responses to goal attainment: Strength of regulatory focus as moderator. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(3), 515-525. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.72.3.515
Description of the measure and its scoring: Higgins et al. (1997) Self-guide strength measure description.doc
More information about the strength measure is available online on the Higgins lab website. See also the RFQ.


 Table of Contents

Description

History of Use

References

Description:

Purpose
The strength measure was designed to assess individuals' orientations toward their goals. It 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 Regulatory Focus Questionnaire 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
Participants list 8 attributes--4 they would ideally like to possess and 4 they believe they ought to possess. Ps then rate (on a 4-point scale) both the extent to which they would ideally like to (or believe they ought to) possess each attribute and the extent to which they believe they actually possess the attribute. Using a PsyScope script, the computer records both responses and response latencies. Prevention and promotion strength are calculated based on response times.
Sub-scales
2 sub-scales:
  • Ought strength (related to a prevention focus)
  • Ideal strength (related to a promotion focus)
Domain

Psychometrics

Sample items
  • You'll now be asked to list attributes that describe how you OUGHT TO BE (the attributes of the person you should be; the attributes of the person you believe it is your duty or responsibility to be)
  • You will now be asked to list attributes that describe how you HOPE TO BE (the attributes of the person you would ideally like to be; the attributes of the person you wish or desire to be).

References:

Scale:
Higgins, E. T., Shah, J., & Friedman, R. (1997). Emotional responses to goal attainment: Strength of regulatory focus as moderator. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(3), 515-525. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.72.3.515
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 difference in regulatory focus: A cautionary note. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(1), 247-254. doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2007.05.005
Uses:
  • Scholer, A. A., X. Zou, et al. (2010). "When Risk Seeking Becomes a Motivational Necessity." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 99(2): 215-231.doi: 10.1037/a0019715
  • Spiegel, S., Grant-Pillow, H., & Higgins, E. T. (2004). How regulatory fit enhances motivational strength during goal pursuit. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34(1), 39-54. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.180
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