Test/C0Retest
Stability coefficients for the MCI (C-Trait) scale over a 4 /C05 week interval ranged from .77 to .83, and for the
C-State scale (.59), showing less stability for the C-State scale, as expected. Likewise, for the earlier C-State and
C-Trait scales, the test /C0retest coefficients across a brief 15 /C020 minute interval were .56 for the C-State scale, and
.77 for the C-Trait scale ( Boyle, 1977 , 1989). In accord with state /C0trait theory, the C-State scales exhibited greater
situational sensitivity than did the C-Trait scales.
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
Naylor (1981/2011, p. 180) reported positive correlations between the MCI scales and Holland’s RIASEC occu-
pational interest categories, as measured by the Strong/C0Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII). The MCI C-State and
C-Trait scales correlated positively with Realistic (.01 and .04), Investigative (.36 and .42), Artistic (.25 and .32),
and Social (.35 and .22), Enterprising (.09 and .12), Conventional (.06 and 2.08) RIASEC factors, respectively.
Naylor (p. 180) also reported that the MCI C-Trait scale correlated .26 with a measure of verbal ability. Working
with earlier versions of C-State and C-Trait scales, Boyle (1977, 1989) had reported that the C-State and C-Trait
scales correlated .80 and .63 respectively with the State Epistemic Curiosity Scale (SECS). Kashdan, Rose, and
Fincham (2004) reported positive correlations of the MCI (Total score) with the Curiosity Exploration Inventory
(CEI) exploration factor (.71), and with the CEI-absorption factor (.57). Likewise, the MCI (Total score) correlated
.36 with the Novelty Experiencing Scale (Total score), .60 with the STPI (Total score), and .40 with the Workplace
Adaptation Questionnaire (Reio, 1997 ). Also, Renner (2006) reported that the MCI C-Trait scale correlated .39 with
the overall Social Curiosity Scale , .52 with the general SCS dimension, and .16 with the covert SCS dimension.
Divergent/Discriminant
Previously, Boyle (1977, 1989) had reported that the C-State and C-Trait scales correlated 2.25 and 2.36
respectively with the STAI A-State scale. Naylor (1981/2011, p. 180) reported that the MCI C-State and C-Trait
scales correlated weakly with the Realistic (.01 and .04), Enterprising (.09 and .12), Conventional (.06 and 2.08)
RIASEC factors. Naylor (p. 180) also reported that the C-Trait scale correlated weakly with a measure of numeri-
cal ability (.07), while on two separate measurement occasions four weeks apart, the C-State scale correlated
weakly with measures of verbal ability (.07 and .18), and numerical ability ( 2.13 and .01), respectively. Likewise,
the MCI did not correlate with the Sensation Seeking Scale (.02) ( Reio, 1997 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
A principal components analysis of the C-State and C-Trait item intercorrelations with oblique (promax)
simple-structure rotation ( N5300), showed that reverse-worded and non-reversed items were loaded by separate
components suggesting they measured discrete constructs (Boyle, 1989). Subsequently, Naylor (1981/2011) chose
not to include reversed items in the MCI. In a principal components analysis of the item intercorrelations with
varimax rotation, Naylor (1981) reported that the MCI C-State and C-Trait scales emerged as distinct dimensions.
Criterion/Predictive
Measures of state and trait curiosity appear to have significant predictive validity. Boyle (1979) reported that
curiosity stimulating instructions stimulated elevations in C-State, enhancing performance on academic learning
tasks (recall of prose materials). Reio (1997) reported that 15% of the variance associated with socialization-
related learning was accounted for by the C-State and C-Trait MCI measures and the standardized beta coeffi-
cient predicting job performance from the MCI (Total score) was .23, suggesting curiosity impacts positively on
job performance (see Reio, 1997 , p. 82).
Location
Naylor, F.D. (1981/2011). A State /C0Trait Curiosity Inventory. Australian Psychologist, 16 , 172/C0183. (Also pub-
lished online: 2 February 2011. DOI: 10.1080/00050068108255893.) - (Retrieved 20 June, 2014).
Results and Comments
As with Spielberger’s various state /C0trait measures, both the MCI C-State and C-Trait scales exhibit high
Cronbach alpha coefficients, suggesting they provide somewhat narrow measurement of the curiosity construct
(cf.Boyle, 1991a ). Naylor specifically avoided the problematic inclusion of reverse-worded items, shown194 8. MEASURES OF AFFECT DIMENSIONS
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS