Direct Scaling Techniques

Direct Scaling Techniques refer to methods of measuring physical sensations that involve directly assigning a number to represent the intensity of the sensation. For example, in an experiment measuring perceived brightness of light, the experimenter presents a series of lights. The subject then assigns a number to each stimulus, depending on how bright he thinks each light is. If the first light was moderately bright, the subject could assign a value of 5. If the next one was perceived to be twice as bright, it could be given a value of 10. If the next was just a flicker, it could be a 1, and so on.

Direct Scaling Techniques could also be applied to things like perceived prestigiousness of an occupation, perceived attractiveness of a person, perceived friendliness, etc.