Competitiveness Reconceptualized: Psychometric Development of the Competitiveness Orientation Measure as a Unified Measure of Trait Competitiveness

Despite the utility of examining competitiveness across different contexts, current competitiveness scales lack the ability to unify trait competitiveness into one comprehensive measure. The goal of the present study was to construct one, psychometrically sound, multidimensional scale that would serve to correctly and concisely measure competitiveness tendencies across situational contexts. The present study synthesizes previous research by defining four dimensions of competitiveness: general competitiveness, dominance, competitive affectivity, and personal enhancement. The initial pool of 137 items for the newly developed Competitiveness Orientation Measure was tested in a sample of 886 participants. Item-total correlations, discrimination indices, and factor analysis procedures resulted in the retention of 37 final items with excellent reliability. Theoretically, the Competitiveness Orientation Measure is the first comprehensive, psychometrically valid scale that adequately captures individual differences in competitiveness across four theoretically supported dimensions. Preliminary construct validity was additionally demonstrated, suggesting that competitiveness may serve to differentiate competitors’ success.