Positive Affectivity - Testing For Positive Affectivity

Testing For Positive Affectivity

Because there is not a hard-and-fast rule for defining certain levels of positive affectivity, different self-reported assessments use different scales of measure. Several prominent tests are listed below; in each of these, the respondent determines the degree to which a given adjective or phrase accurately characterizes him or her.
• Differential Emotions Scale (DES): A PA scale that assesses enjoyment (happy or joyful feelings) and interest (excitement, alertness, curiosity).

• Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist – Revised (MAACL-R): Measures PA according to the DES scale and to an additional scale assessing thrill-seeking behavior (how daring or adventurous one might be).

• Profile of Mood States (POMS): Uses vigor scale to assess the domain of PA.

• Expanded Form of the Positives and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X): This test uses three main scales – joviality (how cheerful, happy, or lively), self-assurance (how confident and strong), and attentiveness (alertness and concentration).

The International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short-Form (I-PANAS-SF) is a brief 10-item version of the PANAS that has been developed and extensively validated for use in English with both native and non-native English speakers. Internal consistency reliability for the 5-item PA scale is reported to range between .72 and .78.