Sexual Deception Scale – SDS
Measures the use of sexual deception and dishonest practices in intimate relationships to engage in sexual activity.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Sexual Deception Scale – SDS was developed by William D. Marelich and Rhona I. Slaughter (2008). It is designed to measure Sexual Deception. The scale is intended for use with General and college populations.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 15 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Blatant Lying, Self-Serving, Avoiding Confrontation.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Blatant Lying | 1,2,9,11,12,13,15 | 7 |
| Self-Serving | 4,7,8 | 3 |
| Avoiding Confrontation | 3,5,6,10,14 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous Yes/No format.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 15. Interpretation guidelines:
- No reported use of sexual deception: 0 – 0
- Presence of sexually deceptive behaviors: 1 – 15
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha ranges from .71 to .75 for the subscales.
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.