The LAM Scales
Measures an individual's characteristic interpretive style (Literal, Antiliteral, or Mythological) with respect to biblical or theological assertions.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The The LAM Scales was developed by Richard A. Hunt (1972). It is designed to measure Theological Interpretive Style. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 29 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Literal, Antiliteral, Mythological.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Literal | 1,4,7,10,16,18,20,23,29 | 9 |
| Antiliteral | 2,5,8,11,14,17,21,24,28 | 9 |
| Mythological | 3,6,9,12,13,15,19,22,25,26,27 | 11 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neutral / Undecided, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 9 to 55. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Endorsement of Style: 9 – 22
- Moderate Endorsement of Style: 23 – 31
- High Endorsement of Style: 32 – 55
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of L: .87 – .94, A: .92 – .95, M: .76 – .77.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.