The Self-Regulation Questionnaires

Scale Description | Academic | Prosocial | Health Care | Learning | Exercise | Religion | Friendship

Download the full packet for the Self-Regulation Questionnaires in a Word file

Prosocial Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-P)

This questionnaire concerns the reasons why children engage in various prosocial behaviors. The scale was developed for children in late elementary and middle school and uses the same format as the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A), which is the other SRQ developed for children. As with the SRQ-A, the responses on this SRQ-P are on a 4-point scale (rather than the 7-point scale used for adults), and the very true response comes first for each item, so the scale is scored as follows: Very True is scored 4; Sort of True is scored 3; Not Very True is scored 2; and Not at All True is scored 1. This way, a higher score will indicate a higher level of endorsement of that regulatory style. The SRQ-P uses three subscales: external regulation, introjected regulation, and identified regulation. Because these kinds of behaviors result from internalization rather than being done naturally, there is not an intrinsic motivation subscale to this questionnaire.

The Scale

Why I Do Some Behaviors

These questions are about the reasons you do things. Different kids have different reasons. We want to know how true each of these reasons is for you.

1. Why do you keep a promise to friends?
   
   
   1. So my friends will like me.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   2. Because I'd feel like a bad person if I didn't.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   3. Because my friends will get made at me if I don't.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   4. Because I think it's important to keep promises.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   5. Because I don't like breaking promises.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
      
2. Why do you not make fun of another child for making a mistake?
   
   
   6. Because if I do, I'll get in trouble.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   7. Because I think it's important to be nice to others.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   8. Because I'd feel ashamed of myself after I did it.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   9. Because other kids won't like me if I do that.
      

      Very true

      Sort of true

      Not very true

      Not at all true

      
      
   10. Because I don't like to be mean.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
       
3. Why don't you hit someone when you're mad at them?
   
   
   11. Because I'll get in trouble if I do.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   12. Because I want other kids to like me.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   13. Because I don't like to hit others.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   14. Because I wouldn't want to hurt someone.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   15. Because I'd feel bad about myself if I did.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
       
4. Why do you try to be nice to other kids?
   
   
   16. Because if I don't, other kids won't like me.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   17. Because I'll get in trouble if I don't.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   18. Because I think it's important to be a nice person.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   19. Because I will feel bad about myself if I don't.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   20. Because I don't like being mean.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
       
5. Why would you help someone who is in distress?
   
   
   21. Because I think it's important to give help when it's needed.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   22. Because I could get in trouble if I didn't.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   23. Because I'd feel bad about myself if I didn't.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   24. Because I want people to like me.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
   25. Because it is satisfying to help others.
       

       Very true

       Sort of true

       Not very true

       Not at all true

       
       
       

Scoring Information.

Calculate scores for Introjected Regulation and Identified Regulation by averaging the items within those subscales.

External Regulation: 3, 6, 11, 17, 22

Introjected Regulation: 1, 2, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23, 24

Identified Regulation: 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25

Validation Article

Ryan, R.M., & Connell, J.P. (1989). Perceived locus of causality and internalization: Examining reasons for acting in two domains. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 749-761.
Download this article in .pdf format (for Personal Use Only)

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