Validating measures of self control via rasch measurement

Self control has been offered as a fundamental explanation for consumption behavior in a number of marketing settings. Until recently, measurement of self control had been inadequate, with advances being made only in specific domains. Tangney, Baumeister, and Boone (2004) introduced a reflective measure of self control which has gained popularity across social science research. However, the authors did not subject this critical measure to a review of fit and function through a psychometric lens. This study reviews their measure with consideration of fit and function, applying item response theory, and more specifically, Rasch measurement. Findings suggest that moderate levels of the unidimensional construct of self control are captured by the scale but high risk groups may be neglected by the measure in its current form.