Scale Overview
The Word-Spirit Orientation Scale – WSOS was developed by T. T. Y. Hsieh (1981). It is designed to measure Word-Spirit Orientation. The scale is intended for use with Evangelical Christian adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 16 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: a = Statement A, b = Statement B.
The scale includes 7 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 13. Interpretation guidelines:
- Spirit-oriented: 0 – 5
- Word-oriented: 6 – 13
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.88 (test-retest).
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.