Double Standard Scale – DSS
Measures acceptance of the traditional sexual double standard.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Double Standard Scale – DSS was developed by Sandra L. Caron, Clive M. Davis, William A. Halteman, & Marla Stickle (1993). It is designed to measure Acceptance of the traditional sexual double standard. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 10 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Strongly Agree, 2 = Agree, 3 = Undecided, 4 = Disagree, 5 = Strongly Disagree.
The scale includes 1 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 10 to 50. Interpretation guidelines:
- Greater adherence to the traditional double standard: 10 – 29
- Lesser adherence to the traditional double standard: 30 – 50
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach alpha of .72.
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.