Gallup (2008a): study MW 2007

Publication

Full text:: Self report on single question:

Here is ladder representing the 'ladder of life'. Let's suppose the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you; and the bottom, the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?
10 best possible
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 worst possible life

This question was followed (not preceded) by items on life 5 years ago and 5 years from now.
Classification:: C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c
Author's label:: Cantril Ladder
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics: On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10
Mean:: 4.89 4.89
SD:: 1.81 1.81

Full text:: Self report on 11 questions

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday? How about..?
A  enjoyment
B  physical pain
C  worry
D  sadness
E  stress
F  anger
G depression

Did you yesterday..?
H feel well rested
I  smile and laugh a lot
J  learn or do something interesting
K were you treated with respect all day yesterday

Rated:
1: yes
0: no

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+H)+I+J+K)/5
- Average % negative affect = (B+C+D+E+F+G)/6
- Affect Balance = Average % positive affect - Average % negative affect

These questions do not measure hedonic level of affect of individual persons adequately, since yesterday's mood does not always correspond with typical average mood. Yet these questions can be used for measuring hedonic level in aggregates, such as nations, since individual variations balance out in big samples.
Classification:: A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-o
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics: On original range -100 - 100 On range 0-10
Mean:: 53.00 -
SD:: - -