Perceived Competence Scale – PCS
Measures an individual's feelings of competence and effectiveness regarding a specific behavior, domain, or goal.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Perceived Competence Scale – PCS was developed by Geoffrey C. Williams, Edward L. Deci (1996). It is designed to measure Perceived Competence. The scale is intended for use with Adults, patients, and students.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 8 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Perceived Competence for Diabetes, Perceived Competence for Learning.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived Competence for Diabetes | 1,2,3,4 | 4 |
| Perceived Competence for Learning | 5,6,7,8 | 4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = not at all true, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = somewhat true, 5 = 5, 6 = 6, 7 = very true.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 1 to 7. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Perceived Competence: 1 – 3
- Moderate Perceived Competence: 4 – 5
- High Perceived Competence: 6 – 7
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha > 0.80.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 2 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.