Sample
The original LOT was validated with two separate university samples ( N5624). No differences emerged
between samples and total LOT scores were similar for males ( M521.03, SD54.56) and females ( M521.41,
SD55.22) ( Scheier & Carver, 1985 ). The LOT-R was validated with a university sample ( N52055). LOT-R scores
were similar for males ( M514.28, SD54.33) and females ( M514.42, SD54.12) ( Scheier et al., 1994 ).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The Cronbach alpha coefficient reported for the original LOT was .76 and item-scale correlations were moder-
ate ( rs5.37 to .56) ( Scheier & Carver, 1985 ). Similarly, the alpha coefficient reported for the LOT-R was ( α5.78),
along with moderate item-scale correlations ( rs5.43 to .63) ( Scheier et al., 1994 ).
Test/C0Retest
Test/C0retest reliability for the original measure was .79 at four weeks (Scheier & Carver, 1994). Test /C0retest
reliability for the revised measure was .68 at four weeks ( r5.68), 12 weeks ( r5.60), 24 weeks ( r5.56), and
28 weeks ( r5.79) ( Scheier et al., 1994 ).
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
LOT scores correlate positively with internal locus of control ( r5.34) and self-esteem ( r5.48) ( Scheier &
Carver, 1985 ). LOT-R scores correlate positively with self-mastery ( r5.48) and self-esteem ( r5.50). The original
and revised measures correlate strongly ( r5.95) ( Scheier et al., 1994 ).
Discriminant Validity
LOT scores do not correlate with private and public self-consciousness ( r52.04;r52.05) and correlate nega-
tively with hopelessness ( r52.47), depression ( r52.49), perceived stress ( r52.55), alienation ( rs5217 to
2.40), social desirability ( r5.26), and social anxiety ( r52.33) ( Scheier & Carver, 1985 ). LOT-R scores correlate
negatively with trait anxiety ( r52.53) and neuroticism ( rs52.36 to2.43) ( Scheier et al., 1994 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
A principal components analysis as well as a confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-dimensional solu-
tion for positively and negatively-worded items for the LOT ( Scheier & Carver, 1985 ). Several sets of principal
components analyses yielded between 1 and 5 factors but Scheier et al. (1994) settled on a unidimensional model
of optimism for the LOT-R.
Criterion/Predictive
LOT scores correlate negatively with being bothered by physical symptoms ( rs52.22, to .31) ( Scheier & Carver,
1985). LOT-R scores correlate negatively with number of physical symptoms ( r52.21), intensity of symptom
(r52.25), mental disengagement ( r52.18), and use of drugs or alcohol ( r52.11) ( Scheier et al., 1994 ).
Location
Original 12-Item Measure
Scheier, I.H., & Carver, C.S. (1985). Optimism, coping and health: Assessment and implications of generalized
outcome expectancies on health. Health Psychology, 4 , 219/C0247.
Revised 10-Item Measure
Scheier, M.F., Carver, C.S., & Bridges, M.W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxi-
ety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A re-evaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology ,67, 1063/C01078.
Results and Comments
The LOT and LOT-R are among the most commonly used measures of optimism primarily because they assess
the broadly defined construct of optimism. However, these measures primarily assess dispositional rather than
state or domain-specific optimism making its appropriate use limited to optimism as a stable personality trait.63 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS