A validation study of the preference for consistency scale

Preference for consistency (PFC) refers to the value some people place on p otential human characteristics such as stability, predictability, and relia bility. Participants scoring high or low on the PFC Scale [Cialdini, R. B., Trost, M. R., & Newsom, J. T.(1995). Preference for consistency: The devel opment of a valid measure and the discovery of surprising behavioral implic ations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 318-328.] respond ed to a scenario in which they were stood-up by a friend. The scenario incl uded either a good reason for being stood-up (sufficient justification) or a poor reason (insufficient justification). In accord with predictions deri ved from cognitive dissonance theory [Festinger, (1957). A theory of cognit ive dissonance. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press], insufficient just ification participants derogated the friend more than sufficient participan ts, but this effect was stronger for high PFC participants than for low PFC s. In addition, insufficient participants reported that they were more offe nded for being stood-up than did sufficient participants. Interestingly, hi gh PFCs reported more offense than low PFCs, even under sufficient justific ation. These results provide strong support for the validity of the PFC con struct in general and for the Cialdini et al. scale in particular. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.