Individual Differences Research

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Individual Differences Research > Volume 16 (2018) > e16003

Factor Structure and Psychometric Evaluation of the Hunter Cynicism Scale

Howard B. Lee, Alberto F. Restori, Gary S. Katz

Abstract

This study explores socially desirable and non-purposeful responding on the Hunter developed the Hunter Cynicism Scale (HCS) to assess cynicism, published in Wrightsman, Batson, and Edkins (2004), though no psychometric data were reported. The present study evaluated the scale’s reliability and validity for research use. The 40-item HCS was administered to 185 students at two California universities, along with the Trust vs. Defensiveness subscale of the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS) and a 4-item lack-of-cynicism measure (Comrey, 1970). Item analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis were conducted. The 40-item HCS demonstrated a reliability of .81; 35 items significantly (p < .05) correlated with total scores, yielding an improved alpha of .84. Factor analysis of the revised 35-item version produced five factors. Both HCS versions correlated significantly with Trust vs. Defensiveness and lack of cynicism, supporting the scale’s utility for research assessing cynicism.