Replicability of Tightness–Looseness Scale in a Brazilian Sample: Validity and Challenges

Mazzoleni, Martina ; Pérez-Nebra, Amalia Raquel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Iglesias, Fabio

Resumen: Abstract
The strength of social norms and their sanctions characterizes a culture. However, their measurement is challenging, and some forms of operationalization seem to have partial success, as in the case of the Tightness–Looseness (TL) Scale. This study aimed to test the replicability of the TL Scale in the Brazilian context and seek evidence of convergent validity. An online survey was conducted with a convenience sample of Brazilians (N= 344), using scenarios of civic cooperation norm violations that allowed testing consequences (norm strength, tolerance of deviations, and self-reported conformity). Antecedents (perception of threats) were tested in a larger context. The TL scale showed a unidimensional structure and was positively related to threat perception in Brazil, but with a small effect size. Additionally, no significant relationships were found with the perception of norm strength, tolerance of deviations, or self-reported conformity in any of the scenarios. The results showed that the TL Scale, a measure of generalized norm perceptions, did not predict attitudes or behaviors related to the specific domain of civic-financial dishonesty in the sample, which consisted of a highly educated sample, mostly from the South and Central-West regions of the country. Although this profile limits the generalizability of the findings to the entire Brazilian population, it provides preliminary and important insights into the validity of the scale in a non-WEIRD cultural context.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1515/psych-2025-0010

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Open Psychology 7, 1 (2025), 1-14
ISSN: 2543-8883

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Psicología Social (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)