Factorial Analysis and Psychometric Properties of Ethical Perspectives Questionnaire (Utilitarianism-Deontology)

Ethical perspectives in moral psychology are used as a basis for understanding and measuring moral judgments. This construct can be used to predict and explain ethical decisions. Among the most fundamental and common views in the classification of moral perspectives is the utilitarian/deontological dichotomy. In this study, the Ethical Perspective Questionnaire (Survey of Ethical Theoretic Aptitudes) was investigated for its factorial structure and psychometric properties.               

the design of the study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of methodology. In total, 245 (51 males) residents of Tehran, over 18 years of age, participated in the study and were selected via an online invitation. They then filled out an Ethical Perspectives Questionnaire. This study investigated the internal consistency of items, content validity (with the participation of experts in psychology and measurement), and construct validity (using confirmatory factor analysis). For the statistical analysis, SPSS-23 and AMOS-23 were used.

The results revealed that the internal consistency coefficient of the items was at an acceptable level (α = 0.78). Additionally, the content validity coefficient was in line with the criteria (CVR = 0.78). The results of confirmatory factor analysis also supported the 15-item single-factor scale.

The Persian version of the Ethical Perspectives Questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties in the population of adults living in Tehran and can be used as an appropriate instrument to assess ethical perspectives in the studies of moral psychology.