Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (BAS)
Measures acculturation level across Hispanic and non-Hispanic domains using language use, linguistic proficiency, and electronic media preferences.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (BAS) was developed by Gerardo MarÃn and Raymond J. Gamba (1996). It is designed to measure Acculturation. The scale is intended for use with Hispanic/Latino populations.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 24 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Non-Hispanic Domain, Hispanic Domain.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Domain | 1,2,3,7,8,9,10,11,12,19,20,21 | 12 |
| Hispanic Domain | 4,5,6,13,14,15,16,17,18,22,23,24 | 12 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Almost never / Very poorly, 2 = Sometimes / Poorly, 3 = Often / Well, 4 = Almost always / Very well.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 12 to 48. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Acculturation (Average score < 2.5): 12 – 29
- High Acculturation (Average score >= 2.5): 30 – 48
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha of .90 for the Hispanic domain and .96 for the non-Hispanic domain.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 8 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.