Exchange Orientation Scale (EOS)
Measures an individual's expectation of immediate reciprocity and balance of benefits in close relationships.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Exchange Orientation Scale (EOS) was developed by Susan Sprecher (1998). It is designed to measure Exchange orientation in close relationships. The scale is intended for use with Adults in romantic relationships.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 39 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Under-benefiting Exchange Orientation, Over-benefiting Exchange Orientation.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Under-benefiting Exchange Orientation | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 | 20 |
| Over-benefiting Exchange Orientation | 21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39 | 19 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
The scale includes 2 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 19 to 95. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Exchange Orientation: 19 – 47
- Moderate Exchange Orientation: 48 – 76
- High Exchange Orientation: 77 – 95
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Under-benefiting alpha = .85, Over-benefiting alpha = .81.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.