Self-Determination Scale – SDS
A 10-item self-report instrument designed to assess individual differences in the extent to which people tend to function in a self-determined way.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Self-Determination Scale – SDS was developed by Kennon M. Sheldon, Richard M. Ryan (1996). It is designed to measure Self-determination. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 10 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Perceived Choice, Awareness of Self.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived Choice | 1,3,5,7,9 | 5 |
| Awareness of Self | 2,4,6,8,10 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Only A feels true, 2 = A feels more true than B, 3 = Both statements are equally true, 4 = B feels more true than A, 5 = Only B feels true.
The scale includes 5 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 10 to 50. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Self-Determination: 10 – 23
- Moderate Self-Determination: 24 – 36
- High Self-Determination: 37 – 50
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified in text.
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.