Success Striving, and six cognitive scales labeled: Self-Focus, Self-Esteem, Concentration, Confidence and Control,
Task-related Cognitive Interference, and Task-irrelevant Cognitive Interference.
All of the scales/measures of affect dimensions reviewed in this chapter are either multidimensional, or com-
prise at the very least two (state versus trait) dimensions, thereby allowing a more comprehensive assessment
of transitory emotional states, longer-lasting mood states, motivational dynamic traits, and relatively
stable dispositional trait constructs. In line with Leary (1991, p. 165), all of the scales reviewed here ‘have demon-
strated reliability and validity as measures ...However, they are by no means interchangeable, and researchers
should exercise care to select appropriate instruments for their particular research purposes’ (cf. Boyle, 1987d ).
The authors of the present chapter concur completely with Leary’s sage advice.
Melbourne Curiosity Inventory (MCI)
(Naylor, 1981 /2011).
Variable
Curiosity is an important construct that motivates approach behaviors in a multitude of real-life settings
(seeBoyle, 1983a , for review of the state /C0trait curiosity model). As Boyle (1983a, p. 383) stated:
‘By constructing global C-State and C-Trait scales, Naylor and Gaudry not only attempted to avoid the particularities of previous
measures (limited to measuring, say, epistemic or perceptual aspects of specific curiosity) but also aimed to simplify curiosity conceptu-
alization in accord with the research suggestions arising from the studies of earlier theorists, such as Berlyne, Day, Beswick, and
Leherissey.’
Several early studies into Spielberger’s STAI model (e.g., Gaudry & Poole, 1975 ;Gaudry et al., 1975 ) had
encouraged development of similar scales in the curiosity domain (Boyle, p. 383). As with Spielberger’s construc-
tion of the State/C0Trait Curiosity Inventory (e.g., Spielberger, Peters, & Frain 1981 ) in Florida, Naylor and Gaudry’s
parallel studies in Melbourne resulted in construction of the MCI, which measures curiosity both as state and
trait dimensions.
Description
The MCI C-State and C-Trait scales comprise 20 items each, but instructions differ. For the C-State scale,
instructions are: ‘Read each statement and then circle the appropriate number to the right of the statement to
indicate how you feel right now, that is, at this moment.’ Thus, the C-State scale taps into transient elevations in
curiosity (emotional states), measured on a 4-point forced-choice intensity scale as follows: 1. (Not at All);
2 (Somewhat); 3 (Moderately So); 4 (Very Much So). For the C-Trait scale, instructions are: ‘Read each statement
and then circle the appropriate number to the right of the statement to indicate how you generally feel.’ The
C-Trait scale is scored on a 4-point frequency scale as follows: 1. (Almost Never); 2. (Sometimes); 3. (Often);
4 (Almost Always). Individuals high on C-Trait experience more frequent and more intense elevations in curi-
osity states. The MCI has been translated into German ( Saup, 1992 ).
Sample
Working with Eric Gaudry and Frank Naylor at the University of Melbourne, Boyle (1977, 1989) carried out
item and scale factor analyses of early C-State and C-Trait scales using a sample of 300 high school students
(aged 15 /C018 years). Naylor and Gaudry also used large samples of high school students in their construction,
validation and progressive rectification of separate C-State and C-Trait scales, eventually incorporated into the
MCI (see Naylor, 1981 /2011, Table 2).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
Naylor (1981/2011) reported Cronbach alpha coefficients for the MCI and C-State scales ranging from .88
to .92, and from .84 to .93 for the MCI and C-Trait scale. Boyle (1978) had previously reported alpha coefficients
for the earlier C-State scale of .91, and for the C-Trait scale of .92. Likewise, Renner (2006) reported an alpha coef-
ficient of .92 for the MCI C-State scale.193 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS