Personal Orientation Inventory – POI
Measures values and behaviors important in the development of the self-actualizing person.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Personal Orientation Inventory – POI was developed by Everett L. Shostrom (1966). It is designed to measure Self-actualization. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 5 items organized into 5 factors/subscales: Self-regard, Existentiality, Synergy, Capacity for Intimate Contact, Self-acceptance.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Self-regard | 1 | 1 |
| Existentiality | 2 | 1 |
| Synergy | 3 | 1 |
| Capacity for Intimate Contact | 4 | 1 |
| Self-acceptance | 5 | 1 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: a = Statement A, b = Statement B.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 5. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Self-Actualization Tendency: 0 – 2
- High Self-Actualization Tendency: 3 – 5
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.74.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.