Adaptation of an Assessment Instrument for Core Affect by M. Yik, J.A. Russell & J.H. Steiger

Abstract

The article presents results of the validation of a novel method for assessment of an emotional state called core affect – 12-Point Affect Circumplex Scales, Adjective Format, developed by M. Yik, J.A. Russell and J.H. Steiger. This methodology allows the assessment of core affect – an elementary emotion state which lies in the core of every emotion and represents an integral unit consisting of two factors which every person feels permanently – valence (pleasure-displeasure) and arousal (activation-deactivation). The adaptation of the test was conducted on a sample of 200 individuals. In order to evaluate the construct validity, regression analysis was performed with the factors of two other tests as dependent variables: C. Izard's Differential Emotion Scale and Self-assessment of the Emotional State by A. Wessman and D. Ricks. Cronbach's alpha for each scale was estimated. Out of 12, the reliability of 11 scales turned out to be either high or very high. The results of multidimensional unfolding have demonstrated that the adapted model fits a circumplex with two main axes, namely “Arousal” and “Pleasure”. Regression analysis, in which dependent variables were the factors of two other instruments and the independent ones were the two dimensions of core affect, showed that “Pleasure” was present in a larger number of emotions than “Arousal”. Nevertheless, “Arousal” was dominant in “Interest” and “Surprise” of the Differential Emotion Scale. The results of the regression analysis are commensurate with the essence of emotions it was conducted for. The results of the psychometric check of the instrument enable the conclusion of high levels of reliability and construct validity. Practical importance of the instrument is comprised by its applicability for the assessment of human's emotional state even when the object of the feeling is not obvious. The instrument is likely to be more accurate in conducting cross-cultural comparisons, as it is less dependent on different emotional concepts across different languages.