Divergent/Discriminant
GESS scores correlate negatively with measures of depression ( rs52.54 to2.69) and hopelessness ( rs52.31
to2.69) and GESS-R scores correlate negatively with introversion ( r52.23) and neuroticism ( r52.22)
(Hale et al., 1992 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
The original and revised measures correlate strongly ( r5.98) ( Hale et al., 1992 ). No factor analytic evidence is
currently available for the GESS-R.
Criterion/Predictive
No criterion/predictive validity evidence is currently available for the GESS/GESS-R.
Location
Original 30-Item Measure
Fibel, B., & Hale, W.D. (1978). The Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale -A new measure. Journal of Consulting
and Clinical Psychology , 46, 924 /C0931.
Revised 25-Item Scale
Hale, W.D., Fiedler L.R., & Cochran C. D. (1992). The revised Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale:
A validity and reliability study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48, 517/C0521.
Results and Comments
The GESS-R demonstrates acceptable reliability and validity and as such, has been frequently used along
with the LOT/LOT-R in laboratory and field studies alike. As with the LOT/LOT-R, The GESS-R’s primary
strength lies in its broad conceptualization of optimism and measures that assess the variety of domains of
optimism.
GENERALIZED EXPECTANCY FOR SUCCESS SCALE-R
Instructions: On a scale from 1 (highly improbable)
to 5 (highly probable), how likely are the following
things to occur?
In the future I expect that I will ...
Succeed at most things I try.
Be listened to when I speak.
Carry through my responsibilities successfully.
Get the promotions I deserve.
Have successful close personal relationships.
Handle unexpected problems successfully.
Make a good impression on people I meet for the
first time.
Attain the career goals I have set for myself.
Experience many failures in my life.
Have a positive influence on most of the people with
whom I interact.
Be able to solve my own problems.
Acquire most of the things that are important to me.
Find that no matter how hard I try, things just don’t
turn out the way I would like.Be a good judge of what it takes to get ahead.
Handle myself well in whatever situation I’m in.
Reach my financial goals.
Have problems working with others.
Discover that the good in life outweighs the bad.
Be successful in my endeavors in the long run.
Be unable to accomplish my goals.
Be very successful working out my personal life.
Succeed in the projects I undertake.
Discover that my plans don’t work out too well.
Achieve recognition in my profession.
Have rewarding intimate relationships.
Find that people don’t seem to understand what I am
trying to say.
Notes : Copyright r1992 John Wiley and Sons. No por-
tion of the GESS may be reproduced by any means
without permission in writing from the copyright
owner.
Reproduced with permission.65 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS