Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
The free will and punishment scale: Efficient measurement and predictive validity across diverse and nationally
Adam Feltz1, Edward Cokely2, Braden Tanner3
1University of Oklahoma, United States; Center for Applied Social Research, United States.
Abstract:
Theoretically, attitudes about freedom and punishment can shape people's decisions and cause pernicious disagreements (e.g., political policies). Several scales measure free will beliefs, partially to help understand disagreements about theoretical and practical issues. We contribute to these efforts by directly comparing existing measures and by introducing a short measure of free will related attitudes. Studies 1, 2, and 3 (Ns = 221, 225, 244) factor analyzed all items in existing scales of free will and moral responsibility, resulting in two prominent factors: Beliefs in Free Will and Beliefs in Punishment. Study 4 (N = 269) presents evidence for the 2-factor structure from a nationally representative sample. Study 5 (N = 108) gives evidence of the utility of the Free Will and Punishment scale in predicting free will relevant beliefs and attitudes. As such, the Free Will and Punishment scale is likely useful when longer instruments are not practically possible.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Self-Report Tests of Personality
Personal Choice and Fate Attributions
Punishment
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior....
Reliability and Validity
Strategies of Self-Presentation III: Self-Monitoring
Self-Discrepancy Theory

