Family Communication Patterns Scale – FCPS
Measures the strength of socio-orientation and concept-orientation in family communication patterns.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Family Communication Patterns Scale – FCPS was developed by Jack M. McLeod, Charles K. Atkin, and Steven H. Chaffee (1972). It is designed to measure Family Communication Patterns. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and parents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 9 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Socio-orientation, Concept-orientation.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Socio-orientation | 1,2,3,4 | 4 |
| Concept-orientation | 5,6,7,8,9 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Never, 1 = Rarely, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 27. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Frequency: 0 – 9
- Moderate Frequency: 10 – 18
- High Frequency: 19 – 27
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified.
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.