Inspiration Scale

Authors: Todd M. Thrash and Andrew J. Elliot

WHAT THE QUESTIONNAIRE MEASURES

The IS is a brief, face-valid measure of inspiration, a motivational resource that has been under-appreciated by psychologists. The measure consists of 4-item frequency and intensity subscales that may be combined into an overall inspiration scale. The IS has strong psychometric properties: it demonstrates a consistent two-factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and measurement invariance across time and across populations. The IS also demonstrates strong evidence of construct validity and empirical utility: its nomological network includes openness to experience, intrinsic motivation, BAS, and creativity, as well as the holding of U.S. patents; the frequency and intensity subscales predict their corresponding dimensions in daily experience; and the scale predicts a range of positive consequences (openness to experience, work-mastery motivation, creativity, perceived competence, and self-determination) while controlling trait measures of these outcomes and trait positive affect. The IS takes a minute or two to complete.

KEY REFERENCES

Thrash, T. M., & Elliot, A. J. (2003). Inspiration as a psychological construct. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 871-889.

E-MAIL CONTACT INFORMATION

Todd M.Thrash: tmthra@wm.edu

TO DOWNLOAD THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Click here: Inspiration Scale