Causal Dimension Scale II – CDSII
Measures how individuals perceive the causes of their performance or outcomes across four attributional dimensions.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Causal Dimension Scale II – CDSII was developed by Edward McAuley, Terry Duncan, & Dan Russell (1992). It is designed to measure Causal Attributions. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 12 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Locus of Causality, External Control, Stability, Personal Control.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Locus of Causality | 1,6,9 | 3 |
| External Control | 5,8,12 | 3 |
| Stability | 3,7,11 | 3 |
| Personal Control | 2,4,10 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 9 = 9 (Completely aligns with left anchor), 8 = 8, 7 = 7, 6 = 6, 5 = 5, 4 = 4, 3 = 3, 2 = 2, 1 = 1 (Completely aligns with right anchor).
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 3 to 27. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low attribution to this dimension: 3 – 10
- Moderate attribution to this dimension: 11 – 19
- High attribution to this dimension: 20 – 27
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Subscale Cronbach's alphas typically range from .60 to .92.
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.