This page compiles various scales that we have developed in our work – please feel free to use and cite in your own work.

Intergroup felt understanding scale

This scale assesses the extent to which members of an outgroup are perceived to understand ingroup members

This 15-item version of the scale was used in Livingstone, A. G., Fernández, L., & Rothers, A. (2020). ‘They just don’t understand us’: The role of felt understanding in intergroup relations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 119, 633-656.

This is the fullest version of the scale in that it refers to outgroup members’ understandings of ingroup beliefs, perspectives, values, culture, and identity. The briefer versions of the scales (examples below) focus more narrowly on ingroup views/perspectives/values.

Scored on a 7-point response scale ranging from -3 (strongly disagree) through 0 (neither agree nor disagree) to 3 (strongly agree)

  1. In general, [outgroup members] do not understand [ingroup] perspectives.*
  2. In general, [outgroup members] have little idea about [ingroup] culture.*
  3. In general, [outgroup members] respect [ingroup] beliefs.
  4. In general, [outgroup members] are unaware of the views of [ingroup members].*
  5. In general, [outgroup members] know a lot about [ingroup] perspectives.
  6. In general, [outgroup members] do not ‘get’ [ingroup members’] views.*
  7. In general, [outgroup members] have no understanding of the views of [ingroup members].*
  8. In general, [outgroup members] know a lot about the identity of [ingroup members].
  9. In general, [outgroup members] have a very good understanding of the views of [ingroup members].
  10. In general, [outgroup members] understand [ingroup] values.
  11. In general, [outgroup members] do not understand the identity of [ingroup members].*
  12. In general, [outgroup members] have a good understanding of what [ingroup members] think.
  13. In general, [outgroup members] do appreciate [ingroup] cultural values.
  14. In general, [outgroup members] have no idea about [ingroup members’] beliefs.*
  15. In general, [outgroup members] could learn more about the views of [ingroup members].*

*reverse-scored item

9-item version

(from Study 6 of Livingstone, A. G., Windeatt, S., Nesbitt, L., Kerry, J., Barr, S. A., Ashman, L., Ayers, R., Bibby, H., Boswell, E., Brown, J., Chiu, M., Cowie, E., Doherr, E., Douglas, H., Durber, L., Ferguson, M., Ferreira, M., Fisk, I., Fleming, B.,… Wu, J-C. (2020). Do you get us? A multi-experiment, meta-analytic test of the effect of felt understanding in intergroup relations. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 91, 104028):

  1. In general, [outgroup members] do not ‘get’ [ingroup members]’ views.*
  2. In general, [outgroup members] have a good understanding of what [ingroup members] think.
  3. In general, [outgroup members] have little idea about [ingroup members]’ perspectives.*
  4. In general, [outgroup members] do not understand what matters to [ingroup members].*
  5. In general, [outgroup members] respect [ingroup members]’ beliefs.
  6. In general, [outgroup members] have no understanding of the views of [ingroup members].*
  7. In general, [outgroup members] do not understand [ingroup members]’ perspectives.*
  8. In general, [outgroup members] understand [ingroup members]’ motives and intentions.
  9. In general, [outgroup members] have a very good understanding of the views of [ingroup members].

*reverse-scored item

7-item version

(from Study 5 of Livingstone, A. G., Windeatt, S., Nesbitt, L., Kerry, J., Barr, S. A., Ashman, L., Ayers, R., Bibby, H., Boswell, E., Brown, J., Chiu, M., Cowie, E., Doherr, E., Douglas, H., Durber, L., Ferguson, M., Ferreira, M., Fisk, I., Fleming, B.,… Wu, J-C. (2020). Do you get us? A multi-experiment, meta-analytic test of the effect of felt understanding in intergroup relations. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 91, 104028):

  1. In general, [outgroup members] do not ‘get’ [ingroup members]’ views.*
  2. In general, [outgroup members] respect [ingroup members]’ beliefs.
  3. In general, [outgroup members] understand [ingroup members]’ values.
  4. In general, [outgroup members] have a very good understanding of the views of [ingroup members].
  5. In general, [outgroup members] have a good understanding of what [ingroup members] think.
  6. In general, [outgroup members] do not understand [ingroup members] perspectives.*
  7. In general, [outgroup members] have no understanding of the views of [ingroup members].*

*reverse-scored item

Felt understanding by others scale

(from Livingstone, A. G., Jaman, E., & Adlam, A. [in prep]. Social determinants of postgraduate wellbeing: The protective roles of social identity and felt understanding.)

This scale assesses the extent to which one feels understood by others in general

Whereas the intergroup felt understanding scale assesses whether members of a specific outgroup understand ingroup members, this scale focuses instead on whether the individual participant feels understood by others in general. It is thus not tied to any particular social identities – although the scale could readily be adapted so that it asked about whether the participant felt understood by others within a particular ingroup (e.g., ‘…by other students’), or by a particular outgroup (e.g., ‘…by people who are not students’).

We have used this scale to assess the association between feeling understood and outcomes such as mental health and wellbeing.

Scored on a 7-point response scale ranging from -3 (strongly disagree) through 0 (neither agree nor disagree) to 3 (strongly agree)

  1. In general, others really get what I want to do and achieve
  2. In general, others have little idea of what is important to me*
  3. In general, I feel like others understand my motivations
  4. In general, others have little idea of what I really think*
  5. In general, people get what I’m going through
  6. I don’t feel like others understand my hopes and worries*
  7. In general, others do not understand my perspective on things*
  8. In general, others have no idea how I’m feeling*
  9. In general, others understand my values
  10. In general, others really understand my concerns

*reverse-scored item