Relating the Internal Consistency of Scales to Rater Response Tendencies

The internal consistency of a scale (as indexed, for example, by coefficient alpha) is related directly to mean scale item intercorrelation. Various indices of rating scale response styles such as halo, leniency, and positive or negative response bias are also related to mean scale item intercorrelation. The nature of the consequent relationship between internal consistency and rating scale response styles is discussed.