Allport’s Intrinsic Religious Orientation Scale failed to measure its own stated construct

Evidence

In summary, I think the nine Intrinsic items-response sets aside-assess in various ways the importance of one’s religion, in a nonsocial sense. But again, that is not what Allport meant by an intrinsic orientation. And even if the test did measure being committed to the essential, inherent, core de la core message in a faith, that will not necessarily make one less prejudiced. — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 2034 (#expands, via linked claim)

As I look them over, Iam struck by how poorly the Intrinsic items cover the construct Allport described in 1966. Four of the items (3, 5, 8, and 9) do ask whether religion unifies the whole being or floods the whole life. But there is nothing about faith being a supreme value, nothing about taking brotherhood seriously, nothing about tempering dogma with humility, and nothing about withholding judgment. Instead, one finds items about meditation, attending church, reading about your faith, praying alone, and preferring a Bible study group over a social club. Are these related to religion? Of course. Do they measure personal “devotion”? Yes. Do they measure what Allport (1966) said was an intrinsic orientation? I seriously doubt it. — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 2015 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Allport’s extrinsic-intrinsic typology fails to capture distinct religion dimensions; What the Intrinsic Scale actually measures is religiosity importance, not Allport’s concept — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 2034; Allport’s Intrinsic religious orientation scale drifted far from his own 1966 construct definition. — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 2015 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• What the Intrinsic Scale actually measures is religiosity importance, not Allport’s concept #expands (0.95) — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 2034
• Allport’s Intrinsic religious orientation scale drifted far from his own 1966 construct definition. #corroborates (0.95) — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 2015