Psychology RootsTable of Contents
Perception of Teasing Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Perception of Teasing Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Perception of Teasing Scale
Scale Name
Perception of Teasing Scale
Author Details
J. Kevin Thompson, Jill Cattarin, Barbara Fowler, and Elizabeth Fisher
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Perception of Teasing Scale (POTS), developed by Thompson, Cattarin, Fowler, and Fisher (1995), is a 22-item self-report measure designed to assess the frequency and emotional impact of teasing and bullying among youth aged 17–24 years. Published in the Journal of Personality Assessment, the POTS is a revision and extension of the Physical Appearance Related Teasing Scale (PARTS), expanding to include both weight-related and competency-related teasing. It captures two dimensions: Weight Teasing (11 items, e.g., being teased about body size or weight) and Competency Teasing (11 items, e.g., being teased about abilities or performance). The scale addresses teasing as a form of bullying, focusing on its psychological effects, particularly on body image and self-esteem.
Participants rate the frequency of teasing experiences (1 = “Never” to 5 = “Very often”) and, for each item, the emotional impact (1 = “Not upset” to 5 = “Very upset”) over their lifetime. Subscale scores are calculated separately for frequency and impact, with higher scores indicating greater teasing or distress. The POTS was validated with 251 college students (mean age ≈ 19 years, 70% female), showing that weight teasing was more prevalent among women and correlated with body dissatisfaction and eating disturbances (r ≈ 0.40–0.60). Competency teasing was associated with lower self-esteem (r ≈ -0.30–0.45). The scale is widely used in clinical and social psychology to study the effects of teasing on mental health, body image, and social adjustment, particularly in late adolescence and young adulthood.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from the Journal of Personality Assessment (Thompson et al., 1995) or authorized sources, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 17–24) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of teasing and its emotional impact, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 22-item scale in a classroom, clinical, or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency and impact of teasing experiences.
- Estimated completion time is 10–15 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The POTS demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Thompson et al., 1995). Internal consistency is high: Cronbach’s alpha for Weight Teasing = 0.90 and Competency Teasing = 0.85, based on a sample of 251 college students. Test-retest reliability over 3 weeks was moderate to high (r ≈ 0.80–0.90 for frequency; r ≈ 0.75–0.85 for impact), indicating stable measurement.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with body dissatisfaction (r ≈ 0.40–0.60 for Weight Teasing), eating disturbance measures (e.g., Eating Disorder Inventory, r ≈ 0.35–0.50), and self-esteem scales (r ≈ -0.30–0.45 for Competency Teasing). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety (r ≈ 0.25–0.40).
Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic performance (r < 0.20). Factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure (Weight and Competency Teasing). Pairing with measures like the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale or the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000) enhances assessment of teasing’s psychosocial impact.
Available Versions
22-Items
Reference
Thompson, J. K., Cattarin, J., Fowler, B., & Fisher, E. (1995). The perception of teasing scale (POTS): A revision and extension of the physical appearance related teasing scale (PARTS). Journal of personality assessment, 65(1), 146-157.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Perception of Teasing Scale measure?
It measures the frequency and emotional impact of weight and competency teasing in youth.
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 17–24 years, typically in college or community settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies teasing-related distress to guide mental health and body image interventions.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations (e.g., Spanish, Chinese) require cultural validation.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.
