Watson (1930): study US 1928
Publication
- Author(s):
- Watson, G.
- Title:
- Happiness Among Adult Students of Education.
- Source:
- Journal of Educational Psychology, 1930, Vol. 21, 79 - 109
Investigation
- Public
- Graduate students of education (teachers), Columbia University, USA, 192?
- Sample
- Respondents
- N = 388
- Non Response
- -
- Assessment
-
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Lowly structured
Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings
- Full text:
-
Self report on single question:
"Among the following description arranged in miscellaneous order, choose the one which comes nearest to fitting you. None will be likely to fit exactly."
3 Finding life rather disappointing and disillusioning, comfortable in many ways, moderately successful, but far from realizing the hopes of youth.
9 Cheerful, gay spirits most of the time. Occasionally bothered by something but can usually laugh it off.
8 Calm, quiet sort of satisfaction. Life has been pretty good. Not everything one desires comes, of course, but on the whole there is much for which to be serenely thankful.
5 Ups and downs, now happy about things, now depressed. About balanced in the long run.
1 Life often seems so worthless that there is little to keep one going. Nothing matters very much, there has been so much of hurt that laughter would be empty mockery.
2 Keeping a brave front, others think everything is all right. Inside life seems rather black.
1 Usually sad, weep readily, smile seldom.
11 Radiant, find every day full of interest, amusing things, and worthwhile things.
3 Seriously hurt by certain things, for which the good aspects of life cannot quite make up.
5 Quite objective. Like some experiences, dislike others. Not aware of any prevalent happiness or unhappiness. - Classification:
- O-HP-u-sq-v-10-a
- Author's label:
- Happiness
- Full text:
-
Self report on open question:
Now write in your own words a sentence of two, something which you believe will most truly describe your own general happiness in life.
The answers were rated by three judges on a scale ranging from 0 to 10.
0 low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 high - Classification:
- O-HL-g-oq-n-11-a
- Author's label:
- Happiness
- Full text:
-
Self report on 50 questions:
Below is a list of words and phrases. Check every term which you believe could fairly be applied to yourself in prevalent attitudes. (yes/no)
A Enthusiastic
B Morbid
C Disappointed
D Distressed
E Cheerful
F Prosperous
G Frivolous
H Troubled
I Annoyed
J Calm
K Miserable
L Thrilled
M Irritable
N Buoyant
O Joyful
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
AX
The total list contained fifty adjectives, half positive and half negative
Scoring:
yes = +1
no = -1
Summation: number of happy traits mentioned minus number of unhappy traits mentioned.
Possible range: - 50 to + 50 - Classification:
- A-BW-g-mq-v-2-a
- Author's label:
- Happiness