self-efficacy optimism (e.g., degree to which individuals will be able to bring out positive outcomes). Researchers
interested in these specific domains will likely find this measure of optimism especially useful.
POSO-E-SCALE
Participants respond to each statement using a
4-point scale ‘Completely correct’; ‘almost correct’;‘partly correct’; ‘incorrect’.
1.For each problem I will find a solution.
2.In difficult situations, I will find a way.
3.No task is too difficult to me.
4.I master difficult problems.
5.There is no task which is too demanding for me.
6.I even master new tasks without problems.7.I welcome every new challenge.
8.I can master difficulties.
9.I have a lot of confidence in myself.
10.I always find a solution to a problem.
Notes : Copyright r2000 Elsevier Limited. No portion
of the POSO-E Scale may be reproduced by any meanswithout permission in writing from the copyrightowner.
Reproduced with permission
Positive and Negative Expectancy Questionnaire (PANEQ)
(Oalson & Roger, 2001).
Variable
As with other conceptualizations of optimism, Oalson and Roger (2001) defined optimism as general positive
expectancies. However, they noted the importance of distinguishing optimism and pessimism as more thanopposite constructs but as separate but related constructs.
Description
The PANEQ consists of 76 statements to which respondents indicate their degree of agreement. These state-
ments reflect negative affect/pessimism, fighting spirit, and positive affect/optimism. Item response format is ona five point scale from 0 strongly disagree to 4 strongly agree. One score is obtained for each of these domainsseparately (Oalson & Roger, 2001).
Sample
The PANEQ was validated with a university sample ( N5216). No significant differences in optimism
emerged between males ( M528.47, SD54.08) and females ( M529.21, SD54.27) (overall M528.92, SD54.20)
(Oalson & Roger, 2001).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The Cronbach alpha coefficient reported for the PANEQ optimism subscale was .75 (Oalson & Roger, 2001).
Test/C0Retest
Test/C0retest reliability for the PANEQ optimism subscale was reported after an interval of six weeks ( r5.82)
(Oalson & Roger, 2001).
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
PANEQ optimism scores correlate positively with other measures of optimism (LOT-R r5.33; GESS-R r5.27),
and positive affect ( r5.11) (Oalson & Roger, 2001).
Divergent/Discriminant
PANEQ optimism scores do not correlate with negative affect ( r52.04) or coping ( r#2 .08) (Oalson &
Roger, 2001).67 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS