Functioning of the Perceived Locus of Causality for Sex Scale: A Journey From the Self-Determination Theory to Psychological Networks

Bc. Anna Rabelová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This work examines the Perceived Locus of Causality for Sex Scale developed on the basis of the Self-Determination Theory (STD; Ryan & Deci, 1998) by S. Jenkins in 2003. Here, two confirmato-ry factor analyses are conducted 1) to find out whether the background of SDT can be confirmed in a latent variable model and 2) to see whether the scale will hold up against another theory that the pop-ular Sexual Motives Scale by Shapiro et al. (1998) is founded upon. Not supporting the models leads to exploratory studies that employ a serious of exploratory factor analyses and a psychological network approach pioneered by S. Epskamp. The analyses reveal that some groups of items could be explained by a latent factor while others are better understood through the network relationships. Besides these findings relevant to the scale, this work is a venture into the little-known world of psy-chological networks that are perhaps to become the new latent variable approach.

Abstract:

This work examines the Perceived Locus of Causality for Sex Scale developed on the basis of the Self-Determination Theory (STD; Ryan & Deci, 1998) by S. Jenkins in 2003. Here, two confirmato-ry factor analyses are conducted 1) to find out whether the background of SDT can be confirmed in a latent variable model and 2) to see whether the scale will hold up against another theory that the pop-ular Sexual Motives Scale by Shapiro et al. (1998) is founded upon. Not supporting the models leads to exploratory studies that employ a serious of exploratory factor analyses and a psychological network approach pioneered by S. Epskamp. The analyses reveal that some groups of items could be explained by a latent factor while others are better understood through the network relationships. Besides these findings relevant to the scale, this work is a venture into the little-known world of psy-chological networks that are perhaps to become the new latent variable approach.

Keywords

Perceived Locus of Causality for Sex Scale, Self-Determination Theory, Sexual Motives Scale, Psychological Networks, Psychometrics

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 13. 12. 2017

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 15. 1. 2018
• Supervisor: Mgr. Jan Širůček, Ph.D.
• Reader: Mgr. Petra Daňsová

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Bachelor programme / field:
Psychology / Psychology