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A three‐factor scale of attitudes toward guns
Author(s) -
Branscombe Nyla R.,
Weir Julie A.,
Crosby Paul
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1991)17:5<261::aid-ab2480170503>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - psychology , social psychology , scale (ratio) , feeling , poison control , aggression , set (abstract data type) , personality , human factors and ergonomics , injury prevention , suicide prevention , discriminant validity , developmental psychology , psychometrics , medicine , physics , environmental health , quantum mechanics , computer science , internal consistency , programming language
Guns figure prominently in American culture. There is, however, considerable variability in attitudes toward guns. The beliefs and feelings that comprise attitudes toward guns may well be important moderators of numerous social behaviors. For this reason, a three‐dimensional attitudes scale was constructed. The first factor consists of an abstract set of beliefs concerning the right of the American public to own or not own guns. The second and third factors tap more concrete beliefs about the consequences of gun ownership. Specifically, the second factor assesses the degree to which people believe gun ownership affords protection against crime. The third factor measures the degree to which people believe guns stimulate crime. Discriminant validity of the subscales is shown by the pattern of correlations obtained with the three dimensions and various other social and personality measures. Regression analyses indicate that the subscales are uniquely predicted by different social variables. Discussion centers on the usefulness of such a measure for future research on aggression, social policy, and attitude change.