Talkaholic Scale – TAS
A self-report measure designed to identify compulsive communication and excessive talking tendencies.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Talkaholic Scale – TAS was developed by James C. McCroskey & Virginia P. Richmond (1993). It is designed to measure Compulsive communication. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 16 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Compulsive Communication, Filler Items.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsive Communication | 2,3,5,7,8,10,11,13,14,16 | 10 |
| Filler Items | 1,4,6,9,12,15 | 6 |
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 summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 10 to 50. Interpretation guidelines:
- Non-talkaholic: 10 – 29
- Borderline talkaholic: 30 – 39
- Talkaholic: 40 – 50
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.