Testing the Consistency of the Moral Growth Mindset Measure Across People With Different Political Perspectives

Abstract: Although the Moral Growth Mindset (MGM) Measure was tested and validated in general, whether it measures MGM consistently across people with different political perspectives associated with moral foundations, has not been tested. We examined measurement invariance (MI) and differential item functioning (DIF) across different political affiliations to test whether the MGM Measure functioned consistently. We also examined the relationship between MGM, moral foundations, and political affiliation with t-tests and regression analyses. The findings reported that first, at the test level, the strictest MI was achieved, so the measurement structure was consistent between the different political groups. Second, no item showed significant DIF, so the MGM Measure was not biased at the item level. Third, t-tests and regression analyses reported that MGM and its relationship with moral foundations were not significantly associated with political affiliation.