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RESUMO Attitudes Toward Guns Scale (ATGS): Evidence of its Psychometric AdequacyABSTRACT -This study aimed to verify the construct validity of the Attitude Towards Guns Scale (ATGS). The sample in study 1 was composed by 200 policemen, with a mean age of 27.75 years (SD=2.98), 88.8% being men. They responded to the ATGS questionnaire and to demographic questions. A principal components analysis indicated a three-factor structure, with Cronbach's alphas of .81 (justice), .76 (protection) and .65 (crimes). The sample in Study 2 was composed by 220 college students, with a mean age of 24.37 years (SD=7.58), 53% being females. The three-factor structure was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The fit indexes were satisfactory. Cronbach's Alphas of the Study 2 were .81, .76 and .75. The study indicates that women tend to associate guns with crime while men tend to associate them with protection and justice.

The main goal of the study was to identify and to compare the type of judgment used in Brazil and in the United States of America relative to the purchase of automobiles and the relevance of Human Values in the evaluation used. Brazilians (N=542) and North Americans (N=449) filled out the List of Values (LOV) (KAHLE; KENNEDY, 1988) and the Judgment and Meaning Scale (ALLEN, 1997(ALLEN, , 2000. The results suggested that in Brazil the judgment for purchasing a car is predominantly affective, while in the United States it is predominantly piecemeal. In both countries women scored higher in piecemeal judgment for car purchase. The values of "Excitement" and "being well respected" are related to affective judgment in both countries while "Personal Achievement" is related to piecemeal judgment in Brazil and the United States. This research contributes to the advancement of studies in Consumer Behavior by analyzing the role of human values in the type of judgment and meaning men and women use to buy cars in Brazil and the US. Furthermore, as practical implications, the results may help company managers in the automobile industry in their decision-making processes in order to better understand how to meet client's specific needs in order to develop a long-term and profitable relationship.

Th is research evaluated the factorial structure and psychometric adequacy of a Professional Competences Scale for Police Offi cers (ECPP). Th e development of the scale was carried out in three steps, with the participation of police offi cers and university professors holding PhDs in psychology and administration. Th e study applied a questionnaire to a non-probabilistic sample of 916 state police offi cers. Th e exploratory and confi rmatory factorial analyses pointed to a bi-dimensional structure of 16 items. Th e fi rst factor (behavioral competencies) regards aspects that involve complex relationships between skills related to the individual and attitudes. Th e second (technical competencies) refers to the knowledge and skills necessary for the good performance of activities in the police service. Th e results support the structure and point to internal consistency and adequate psychometric validity.

Resumo Esta pesquisa avaliou a estrutura fatorial e a adequação psicométrica da Escala de Competências Profissionais para Policiais (ECPP). Após o desenvolvimento do instrumento de medida, realizado em três etapas junto a policiais e doutores dos campos de psicologia e administração, realizou-se uma etapa quantitativa com amostra de 916 policiais militares. As análises fatoriais exploratórias e confirmatórias apontaram uma estrutura bidimensional de 16 itens. O primeiro fator (competências comportamentais) está relacionado a aspectos que envolvem relações complexas entre habilidades relativas ao indivíduo e atitudes enquanto o segundo (competências técnicas) se refere a conhecimentos e habilidades necessários para o bom desempenho de atividades no serviço policial. Os resultados suportam a estrutura e apontam consistência interna e validade psicométrica adequada.