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 (Strongly aligns with left statement), 8 = 8, 7 = 7, 6 = 6, 5 = 5, 4 = 4, 3 = 3, 2 = 2, 1 = 1 (Strongly aligns with right statement).
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 3 to 27. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low perception of the dimension: 3 – 10
- Moderate perception of the dimension: 11 – 19
- High perception of the dimension: 20 – 27
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.