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The Simple Structure of Positive Affect

Social Indicators Research volume 124, pages 183–198 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

The structure of affect is often studied through the circumplex: a circular model on which similar (i.e. highly correlated) states lie close to each other. While very informative, the circumplex lacks simple structure, as items spread more or less uniformly around its perimeter. Consequently, affect scales loading close to each other on the circumplex are likely to overlap substantially and have poor discriminant validity. The present study aims to identify distinct dimensions of affect. Based on theory and previous findings, the following hypotheses were formulated: (1) only positive affect items loading on the most distant segments of the circumplex will form two separate factors and approximate a simple structure; (2) moderate-arousal positive affect (MAP) should be representative of general positive affect; (3) MAP should substantially overlap with life satisfaction (LS). The hypotheses were tested in an Australian sample (N = 424) through exploratory analyses and structural equation modelling, and were all supported. The paper contributes to current research by encouraging a more parsimonious measurement of positive affect. Studies focusing on different levels of arousal may only use scales of calmness and energy. Studies that aim to measure positive affect in general may simply use a MAP scale, as a promising alternative to the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS, Watson et al. in J Pers Soc Psychol 54(6):1063–1070, 1988). Finally, since MAP also explained 68 % of the variance in LS, it shows potential as a brief measure of subjective well-being.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council grant ES/J500100/1 to Ylenio Longo. Portions of this article served as part of Ylenio Longo’s PhD thesis. Thanks are due to Robert A. Cummins for providing the data, and to Stephen Joseph, Nick Manning, and Cees van der Eijk for comments on prior versions of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, YANG Fujia Building, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham, NG8 1BB, UK

    Ylenio Longo

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  1. Ylenio Longo
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Correspondence to Ylenio Longo.

Appendices

Appendix I: Scree plots (2 levels)

figure a

Appendix II: Factor loadings (2 levels–2 factors)

 

1

2

Energy and HAP

 Lively

.646

−.262

 Elated

.643

−.251

 Alert

.633

 

 Delighted

.607

−.304

 Aroused

.546

 

 Enthusiastic

.426

−.414

 Energized

 

−.947

 Excited

.150

−.774

Energy and MAP

 Satisfied

.982

−.110

 Content

.873

 

 Happy

.808

 

 Pleased

.711

.217

 Energized

.443

.413

 Lively

.213

.772

 Aroused

 

.548

 Alert

.148

.439

Energy and LAP

 Relaxed

.901

 

 At ease

.884

 

 Calm

.780

 

 Serene

.748

 

 Lively

.196

.773

 Aroused

−.108

.573

 Energized

.338

.514

 Alert

 

.510

HAP and MAP

 Delighted

.869

 

 Elated

.867

 

 Excited

.820

 

 Pleased

.548

−.375

 Enthusiastic

.520

−.290

 Satisfied

 

−.998

 Content

 

−.791

 Happy

.281

−.615

HAP and LAP

 Relaxed

.835

−.332

 Delighted

.830

.243

 At ease

.827

−.276

 Serene

.779

−.148

 Excited

.757

.327

 Calm

.752

−.320

 Elated

.749

.352

 Enthusiastic

.735

.224

MAP and LAP

 Satisfied

.974

 

 Pleased

.861

 

 Happy

.825

 

 At ease

.548

−.363

 Content

.509

−.407

 Serene

.434

−.357

 Relaxed

 

−1.004

 Calm

.101

−.676

  1. Items with stronger loadings on the comparison factor are in bold

Appendix III: Factor loadings (2 levels–1 factor)

 

1

Energy and HAP

 Excited

.852

 Delighted

.851

 Lively

.841

 Elated

.826

 Energized

.824

 Enthusiastic

.785

 Alert

.506

 Aroused

.467

Energy and MAP

 Happy

.876

 Satisfied

.874

 Pleased

.858

 Content

.833

 Energized

.734

 Lively

.732

 Alert

.459

 Aroused

.303

Energy and LAP

 Relaxed

.859

 At_ease

.844

 Calm

.807

 Serene

.799

 Lively

.672

 Energized

.667

 Alert

.407

 Aroused

.272

HAP and MAP

 Pleased

.881

 Delighted

.872

 Happy

.857

 Satisfied

.853

 Content

.804

 Enthusiastic

.776

 Excited

.776

 Elated

.765

HAP and LAP

 Delighted

.822

 At_ease

.815

 Relaxed

.811

 Serene

.784

 Excited

.753

 Elated

.742

 Calm

.740

 Enthusiastic

.739

MAP and LAP

 Satisfied

.896

 At_ease

.874

 Content

.871

 Relaxed

.852

 Happy

.832

 Pleased

.803

 Serene

.768

 Calm

.730

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Longo, Y. The Simple Structure of Positive Affect. Soc Indic Res 124, 183–198 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0776-6

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Keywords

  • Positive affect
  • Life satisfaction
  • Subjective well-being
  • Circumplex
  • Vitality