Guttman cumulative scaling – UGC NET Question

The Guttman scale, or cumulative scale, arranges items so that they represent increasing levels of a trait or attitude. In an ideal Guttman scale, if a respondent agrees with a high-level item, they would also agree with all lower-level items, creating a predictable response pattern. Scalogram analysis assesses how well the items approximate this cumulative structure. Therefore, the technique described in the stem is correctly termed a Guttman scale.

Option A:
Likert scales do not assume cumulative properties; respondents may agree with some items and disagree with others at similar levels without violating the model. They rely on summated ratings rather than hierarchical cumulative ordering.

Option B:
Semantic differential scales use bipolar adjective continua and do not consist of statements ordered by strength of attitude in a cumulative manner.

Option C:
The Guttman approach is particularly useful when measuring acceptance of progressively more extreme positions or behaviours, as it reveals how far along a continuum respondents are willing to go. This cumulative logic matches the stem’s requirement that agreement with a strong statement implies agreement with weaker ones, making this option correct.

Option D:
Thurstone scales employ expert-rated equal-appearing interval statements but do not require cumulative patterns across items in respondent choices.