Epistemic Orientation Short Scale: Development and Validity Evidence in a Sample of Psychotherapists

Abstract

Epistemic orientation refers to the preferred mode of accessing and using knowledge and is a construct of growing interest in psychotherapy research. In this context, the main objective of this study was to develop and provide initial validity evidence for a brief measure of epistemic orientation in a sample of Brazilian psychotherapists. Participants were 674 Brazilian psychotherapists (78.5% female), aged between 22 and 78 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on different subsamples to establish the structure of the measure. Results revealed an instrument consisting of three factors (Rationalism, Intuitionism, and Empiricism) with good psychometric properties and fit indices (X 2 = 1.92, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95 and RMSEA = 0.06). Factors exhibited good internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity. Criterion validity was evaluated by examining the scale’s ability to detect differences in the epistemic orientation dimensions as a function of therapist’s theoretical approach. Overall, the scale proved to be a valid self-report measure for investigating personal epistemology.

Psychotherapists’ psychological well‐being: The role of epistemic orientation and emotion regulation

“…This is an 11‐item measure of epistemic orientation scored using a 6‐point Likert format scale (1 = does not describe me at all, 6 = describes me very well) (Palma et al, 2018). It was validated in Brazil by Palma et al (2018) and showed good psychometric properties. Participants rate the extent to which each item describes them.…”

“…In the current study, epistemic orientation refers to an individual's preferred way of accessing and using knowledge and has been widely investigated in the field of personal epistemology using different theoretical frameworks (Palma et al, 2018). In psychotherapy research, attention has been paid to identifying therapists' predominant epistemic modes or styles.…”

“…Still, others may adopt a more observational and experimental stance (e.g. Palma et al, 2018). Moreover, studies have found that therapists’ personal epistemologies (e.g.…”

Psychology students' attitudes towards research: the role of critical thinking, epistemic orientation, and satisfaction with research courses

“…The Epistemic Orientation Short Scale (EOSS) consists of 11 items with a five-point Likert-type response set, with scores varying from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree), with higher scores indicating a more prevalent epistemic orientation. The EOSS measures the following subscales: rationalism (α ¼ 0.71), intuitivism (α ¼ 0.77), and empiricism (α ¼ 0.72) (Silva Palma et al, 2018). The current study determined the internal consistency coefficients for each dimension: rationalism, α ¼ 0.83, 95% CI [0.78; 0.87]; intuitivism, α ¼ 0.65, 95% CI [0.54; 0.73]; empiricism α ¼ 0.64, 95% CI [0.52; 0.73].…”

“…Epistemic orientation refers to the individuals' preferences on how to gain and use knowledge (Silva Palma et al, 2018). One taxonomy of epistemic orientations identifies three main preferences (Royce, 1975;Silva Palma et al, 2018;Wilkinson and Migotsky, 1994): intuitive, rational, and empirical. The intuitive orientation assumes that knowledge is subjective and might be attained through metaphors and symbolisms.…”