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Evaluating the color-blind racial attitudes scale using item response theory
Alex A Ajayi1, Jesus E Delgado1, Gisel Suarez Bonilla2
1Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Journal of Counseling Psychology
|April 27, 2026
Summary
The Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) shows structural issues, with different racial groups interpreting items differently. A shorter version may offer better measurement invariance across gender.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Measurement
Background:
- The Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) is widely used to measure color-blind racial ideology.
- Concerns exist regarding its dimensionality and score validity across diverse demographic groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of the CoBRAS using advanced statistical methods.
- To assess measurement invariance of the CoBRAS across racial and gender groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized full-information factor analysis within an item response theory framework.
- Employed multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis and differential item functioning tests.
- Analyzed data from four cross-sectional samples (Ntotal = 4,010).
Main Results:
- A bifactor structure was supported, with a general color-blindness dimension and three specific dimensions.
- Metric and scalar invariance were not supported across racial groups.
- A reduced 18-item scale demonstrated full measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar) across gender.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest racial groups may interpret CoBRAS items differently, impacting score validity.
- An 18-item CoBRAS version shows promise for equivalent measurement across gender.
- Highlights the importance of psychometric evaluation for sociocultural measures.
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