Material Tendencies Scale – Chinese Version

Description

Materialism is considered an individual’s value system. This study integrates previous definitions of materialism and views it as a personal value, specifically referring to an individual’s long-term and consistent beliefs regarding money and material wealth. It can include individual evaluations of money and material wealth, emotional experiences generated, and behavioral responses. Quantitative research on materialism began in the mid-1980s, coinciding with rapid economic development in many countries, which increased people’s desires for acquisition and consumption. Consequently, the pursuit and consumption of wealth became seen as important means for achieving success and happiness.

Authors and Contact Email

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Purpose

To explore the concept of materialism as it relates to individual value systems and its impact on psychological well-being.

Test Year

Information not available.

Administration Method and Scoring

The Material Tendencies Scale (MTS), developed by Zhang Ruixue (2018), consists of 20 items measuring materialism levels across five dimensions: 物质崇拜 (Material Worship), 物质虚荣 (Material Vanity), 物质兴趣 (Material Interest), 物质追求 (Material Pursuit), and 物质欲望 (Material Desire). Participants respond on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 represents “strongly disagree” and 5 represents “strongly agree.” Total scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher levels of materialism. The “物质欲望” (Material Desire) dimension includes four items scored in reverse.

Reliability and Validity

The internal consistency alpha coefficient of the total scale is 0.892, and the split-half reliability is 0.919. Except for the Material Desire dimension, the reliability of other dimensions is above 0.7.

Factors and Subscales

五个维度 (Five Dimensions):
1. 物质崇拜 (Material Worship)
2. 物质虚荣 (Material Vanity)
3. 物质兴趣 (Material Interest)
4. 物质追求 (Material Pursuit)
5. 物质欲望 (Material Desire)

Keywords

Materialism, Psychological Well-being, Value System, Measurement, Quantitative Research

Items in Chinese

1. 我认为物质追求比精神追求更重要
2. 拥有金钱是成功的象征
3. 我希望他人觉得我物质条件优越
4. 比起我认识的大多数人来说，我不那么重视物质的东西
5. 如果我能买得起更多的东西，我会更加幸福
6. 相比精神上的享受，我更享受物质带给我的快乐
7. 一个人的身份地位主要体现在他的经济实力上
8. 我通过购买一些昂贵的物品来吸引他人的关注
9. 在物质生活方面，我试图保持简单朴素
10. 我很想有能力买昂贵的物品
11. 物质的丰富比精神的充实更让我满足
12. 有钱才能获得幸福
13. 我喜欢向大家展示我买的贵重物品
14. 我通常只买我所需要的东西
15. 我羡慕物质生活比我优越的人
16. 相比精神上的鼓励支持，我更愿意获得物质回报
17. 有钱才具有社会地位
18. 使用名牌能够增强我的优越感
19. 我认为钱财乃身外之物，够用就行了
20. 如果有更多钱为自己买更多东西，我会更快乐

Items in English

1. I believe the pursuit of material wealth is more important than spiritual pursuit.
2. Having money is a symbol of success.
3. I want others to think I am materially advantaged.
4. Compared to most people I know, I don’t value material things as much.
5. If I could afford more things, I would be happier.
6. I enjoy the pleasures that material goods bring me more than spiritual enjoyment.
7. A person’s identity and status are mainly reflected in their economic strength.
8. I attract others’ attention by purchasing expensive items.
9. I try to keep my material life simple and plain.
10. I really want to be able to buy expensive items.
11. The richness of materials satisfies me more than the fulfillment of spirit.
12. Only with wealth can one achieve happiness.
13. I like to show everyone the valuable items I have purchased.
14. I usually only buy what I need.
15. I envy those who have a better material life than mine.
16. I prefer material rewards to spiritual encouragement and support.
17. Only with money can one have social status.
18. Using brand-name products can enhance my sense of superiority.
19. I think wealth is irrelevant; as long as it’s enough, it’s fine.
20. If I had more money to buy more things for myself, I would be happier.

References

张瑞雪,肖蓉.物质主义倾向量表的编制及其信效度[J].中国临床心理学杂志, 2019, 27(4):5.DOI:10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2019.04.009.
汤思尧.中国居民物质主义及其与社会公平感,控制感的关系研究[D].南方医科大学,2019.