A scale for a-holism in relational communication: Concept explication, scale development, and correlates. Issue 3 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Lijiang; LeVan, Samantha; Quesnell, Madisen; Tian, Xi
• Is Part Of: Social science journal. Volume 57:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 350
• Page End: 366
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: A-holism -- Scale development -- Dominance -- Aggression -- Entitlement -- Resistance to feedback -- Relational communication; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soscij.2018.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-3319

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A-holes threaten the overall well-being of many social systems. This study explicates, constructs, and validates a measure for a-holism in relational communication. We identified and constructed items for four dimensions of the a-holism construct: verbal aggression, dominance, entitlement, and resistance to feedback. An online survey was distributed to 315 adults about their perceptions of a-holes they have met in their lives and how they communicated. The a-holism scale demonstrated second order uni-dimensionality. There was also evidence for convergent and discriminant validity. Implications for application of the a-holism scale in relational communication are discussed.