Variable
The MMSI includes five separate self-report scales purported to measure Arousal /C0Alertness, Anger/Hostility,
Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Curiosity.
Description
Boyle (2009) constructed the 75-item MMSI which comprises five separate 15-item scales derived from several
higher-order factor analyses of the intercorrelations between various emotional/mood state scales such as the
Profile of Mood States (POMS) , the Differential Emotions Scale (DES-IV) , and the Eight State Questionnaire (8SQ) . The
MMSI has instructions to ‘ Please circle the appropriate response according to how you feel right now at this very moment ’
scored on a 4-point intensity scale ranging from: 1. (Not at All); 2. (A Little); 3. (Moderately So); 4. (Very Much
So). When used with these instructions, it is a measure of transitory emotional states, rather than longer-lasting
mood states. When used with instructions to ‘ Please circle the appropriate response according to how you have been feel-
ing over the past week ’ scored on a 4-point frequency scale ranging from: 1. (Almost Never); 2. (Sometimes);
3. (Often); 4. (Almost Always), it is a measure of persisting mood states. A variety of timeframes could be tapped
by varying the instructions (as per the PANAS-X).
Sample
The original samples comprised University of Queensland undergraduates, as well as 111 Bond University
undergraduate students, ranging in age from 18 to 49 years ( M523.25 years, SD56.73) with 58 (52%) females,
and 53 (48%) males.
Reliability
Internal Consistency
Mean Cronbach alpha coefficients for the MMSI scales based on separate samples ( N563 and N5111) of Bond
University undergraduates ranged from: Arousal/Alertness (.66 to .83; Mdn 5.76), Hostility (.91 to .94; Mdn 5.92),
Neuroticism (.78 to .93; Mdn 5.87), Extraversion (.81 to .87; Mdn 5.83), Curiosity (.68 to .81; Mdn 5.78).
Test/C0Retest
Based on a sample of ( N512) Bond University students, dependabi lity (immediate retest) coefficients were
reported as follows: Arousal/Alertness (.94), Hostility (.96), Neuroticism (.99), Extraversion (.99), Curiosity (.95), indi-
cating the MMSI is a reliable measure. The corresponding stab ility coefficients (30-minute retest) were as follows:
Arousal/Alertness (.55), Hostility (.77), Neuroticism (.85), Extraversion (.96), Curiosity (.92); while stability coefficients
(one week retest) were: Arousal/Alertness (.37), Hostility (.66), Neuroticism (.71), Extraversion (.93), Curiosity (.89).
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
In a sample of Bond University undergraduates ( N5111), positive correlations between MMSI scales, PANAS
Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA), and Locus of Control (LOC) were observed as follows: Arousal/
Alertness correlated with Curiosity (.39), with PA (.50). Hostility correlated positively with Neuroticism (.62), and
with Extraversion (.34).
Divergent/Discriminant
In a sample of Bond University undergraduates ( N5111), negative correlations between MMSI scales, PANAS
Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA), and Locus of Control (LOC) were observed as follows: Arousal/
Alertness correlated with NA ( 2.25), with LOC ( 2.20), and with Curiosity (.37) respectively, while Hostility cor-
related with NA ( 2.56).
Construct/Factor Analytic
The MMSI scales were derived from several exploratory factor analytic studies of the subscale intercorrelations
of the POMS, DES-IV, and 8SQ instruments combined (e.g., see Boyle, 1986a, 1987a,b,e,f ,1988a, 1989b, 1991b ). All
factor analyses employed optimal (e.g., iterative maximum-likelihood) factor extraction procedures with squared
multiple correlations (SMCs) as initial communality estimates, factor number assessed via Cattell’s scree test
(Cattell, 1978; Cattell & Vogelmann, 1977 ), followed by oblique (direct oblimin) rotation in accord with
Thurstone’s five simple structure criteria (see Child, 2006 , pp. 77 /C078). The five affect dimensions labeled:
Arousal /C0Alertness, Anger/Hostility, Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Curiosity, emerged repeatedly as higher-
order factors in several of the studies, supporting their construct validity.208 8. MEASURES OF AFFECT DIMENSIONS
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS