Relationship Incentive and Threat Sensitivity Scales – RITSS
Measures individual differences in incentive and threat sensitivity specific to the context of intimate relationships.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Relationship Incentive and Threat Sensitivity Scales – RITSS was developed by Jean-Philippe Laurenceau, Benjamin M. Kleinman, Karen J. Kaczynski, & Charles S. Carver (2010). It is designed to measure Relationship-specific incentive and threat sensitivities. The scale is intended for use with Adults in romantic relationships.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 11 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Relationship Incentive Sensitivity, Relationship Threat Sensitivity.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship Incentive Sensitivity | 1,3,5,7,9,11 | 6 |
| Relationship Threat Sensitivity | 2,4,6,8,10 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Very false for me, 2 = Somewhat false for me, 3 = Somewhat true for me, 4 = Very true for me.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 1 to 4. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Sensitivity: 1 – 2
- Moderate Sensitivity: 2 – 3
- High Sensitivity: 3 – 4
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified in source text.
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.