Evidence for the Construct Validity and Reliability of the Co-Cultural Theory Scales

Abstract

Co-cultural theory provides a theoretical framework that examines the ways that members of co-cultural groups communicate when interacting with members of a dominant culture (Orbe, 1998a). The tenants of the theory were inductively derived via phenomenological analyses of focus group and interview data. Two of the central theoretical components, preferred outcome and communication approach, have been conceptualized as general tendencies that influence communication practices by co-cultural group members within interactions with members of dominant cultural groups. This article reports on the design of a self-report measure of these two components of co-cultural theory and provides evidence from two studies for the construct validity and reliability of the co-cultural theory scales (C-CTS).

Notes

¹Three of the four foundational studies that formed the basis for the development of co-cultural theory focused on different groups: African-American graduate students (Ford-Ahmed & Orbe, 1992), African American men (Orbe, 1994b), and gay men (Roberts & Orbe, 1996). The fourth (Orbe, 1996) specifically sought to explore co-cultural communicative experiences more generally and included people of color, gays/lesbians/bisexuals, women, as well as those with low socio-economic status.

²It was the intention of the researchers to over-sample female respondents due to the fact that women may have greater experience with and attribute greater salience to communicating as a co-cultural group member.

³This value was chosen for this particular investigation and is not necessarily recommended as a benchmark for item retention. This value was chosen based on the number of items in the scale and the fact that there is no previous evidence for the validity of the scale.

⁴The order of the administration of the scales was varied. Subsequent tests for order effects indicated no significant difference between the measures based on the order in which they were administered. These analyses can be obtained from the first author.

Hopson, M. C. (2002). Playing the game: Exploring dialectical tensions and identifying co-cultural communication strategies of black males in predominantly white organizational structures. Unpublished master's thesis. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.

Putman, A. L. (2002). Earning the right: Exploring the communication strategies of European Americans in interracial relationships. Unpublished master's thesis. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.