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Happiness Measures

Characteristics

Code:
A-AOL-cq-sq-v-10-a
Focus:
Affect: Average Overall Level (A-AOL)
Time frame:
last quarter (cq)
Mode:
1 question (sq)
Scale Type:
verbal scale (v)
Scale Range:
10

Description

Self report on single question:

"Mood is usually applied to states lasting for minutes or hours, but most people can estimate their average or typical mood over a long period of time. Using the following scale, please indicate which statement best describes your typical mood for the current spring semester.  Draw a circle around the number of the statement which best describes your average level of happiness or unhappiness during this semester.
10  Complete elation, rapturous joy and soaring ecstasy
9    Very elated and in very high spirits.   Tremendous
      delight and buoyancy
8    Elated and in high spirits
7    Feeling very good and cheerful
6    Feeling pretty good , "OK"
5    Feeling a little bit low. Just so-so
4    Spirits low and somewhat "blue"
3    Depressed and feeling very low.
      Definitely "blue"
2    Tremendously depressed.
      Feeling terrible, really miserable, "just awful"
1    Utter depression and gloom. Completely down.
      All is black and leaden. Wish it were all over.

List of Studies Using this Measure

Study Population N Mean
Standard Deviation
Porter (1967): study US 1965 Female students college seniors, followed two months, Rochester, USA, 1965-66 N = 162
Gump (1972): study US 1965 Female students college seniors, followed two months, Rochester, USA,1965-66 N = 162