Table of Contents

Description

The Dependence Proneness Scale–Form One, developed by Flanders, Anderson, and Amidon in 1961, is a 45-item, dichotomous measure designed to assess dependence proneness among children and adolescents. This scale investigates the intricate relationships between teacher behavior, student actions, and student attitudes within the classroom environment. Initially, a comprehensive 150-item battery was created, with items drafted, borrowed, and modified from previous literature to cover themes such as seeking help, affection, conformity, and compliance. Through item analysis, a final sample of eighth-grade students helped distill this to the remaining 45 items, ultimately identifying high-scoring students in need of additional support and reassurance, while also recognizing those who demonstrate more independence in their classroom interactions.

Authors and Contact Email

Flanders, Ned A.; Anderson, J. Paul; Amidon, Edmund J. – Information not available

Purpose

To measure dependence proneness in children and adolescents, particularly in relation to teacher behavior, student behavior, and student attitudes within a classroom context.

Test Year

1961

Administration Method and Scoring

The scale is administered on paper, and responses to each of the 45 items are restricted to “agree” or “disagree.”

Reliability and Validity

Reliability: Internal Consistency shows a reliability coefficient of .68, with an estimated standard error of measurement of 2.93 for a single score. Construct Validity indicates that the test appropriately identifies high-scoring students who require more support and reassurance from teachers, as well as low-scoring students whose reactions tend to be more independent of the teacher’s behavior.

Factors and Subscales

Information not available

Keywords

Dependence Proneness Scale–Form One; Test Development; Internal Consistency; Construct Validity; Teacher-Student Relations

Items of Dependence Proneness Scale–Form One

D 1. I hesitate to ask for help from others.
A 2. I like to do things with my family.
D 3. It’s fun to try out ideas that others think are crazy.
A 4. I enjoy working with students who get good marks.
A 5. Students ought to be allowed to help one another with their school work.
D 6. I don’t need my friends’ encouragement when I meet with failure.
A 7. I never argue with my parents.
D 8. My folks usually have to ask me twice to do something.
D 9. I don’t like my friends to make a fuss over me when I’m sick.
D 10. I seldom do ‘little extra things” at home just to please my parents.
D 11. I want my friends to leave me alone when I am sad.
D 12. I often disagree with my parents.
A 13. I never do anything at home until I find out if it’s okay.
D 14. What others think of me does not bother me.
D 15. Committee work is a waste of time.
D 16. I often disagree with what the class decides to do.
A 17. You should always check to see if your parents approve of your friends.
A 18. A good friend will never disagree with you.
D 19. I enjoy studying about things that my parents don’t like.
A 20. I am apt to pass up something I want to do when others think that it isn’t worth doing.
D 21. I owe my greatest obligation to my family.
D 22. I don’t lie to show my friends how much I like them.
D 23. I like to make my own decisions.
D 24. My parents make unreasonable rules.
D 25. Rules are made to be broken.
D 26. I would rather be left alone when I am in trouble.
D 27. I would never tell on a student who has done something wrong.
D 28. It annoys me when my friends tell me their troubles.
D 29. I dislike lending things to my friends.
D 30. I like people who ignore the feelings of others.
D 31. I don’t care whether or not I take home a good report card.
D 32. I often seem to do things my parents don’t like.
D 33. My parents treat me more like a child than a teen-ager.
D 34. I don’t care if other students say nice things about me.
D 35. I sometimes break rules if it makes my friends like me.
D 36. I like to criticize people who are in charge.
A 37. I try never to disobey my parents.
A 38. I feel better avoiding a fight than trying to have my own way.
A 39. I like to follow instructions and to do what is expected of me.
D 40. My family does not like what I intend to choose for my life work.
D 41. I often disagree with what the teacher says.
A 42. In class it is best to go along with the majority even when you disagree.
D 43. I don’t care if others are interested in the same things I am.
D 44. It is not always best to have the majority make the decision.
D 45. The playground is a poor place to really get to know your friends.

Note. A = Autonomy and D = Deference.

References

Flanders, N. A., Anderson, J. P., & Amidon, E. J. (1961). Measuring dependence proneness in the classroom. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 21, 575–587. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/dependence-proneness-scale-form-one/