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Mood Measurement: Current Status and Future Directions
Book chapter

Mood Measurement: Current Status and Future Directions

David Watson and Jatin Vaidya
Handbook of Psychology, pp.349-375
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
04/15/2003
DOI: 10.1002/0471264385.wei0214

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Abstract

This chapter provides a basic introduction to the measurement of mood. We begin by defining the concept of mood and distinguishing it from related constructs such as emotion. We then discuss recent data related to the underlying structure of mood; on the basis of this evidence, we propose a hierarchical model consisting of two higher‐order dimensions (alternatively conceptualized as either pleasantness/activation or positive affect/negative affect) and multiple lower‐order states (e.g., fear, anger, sadness, joy). Next, we use this organizing scheme to evaluate existing mood instruments, noting both strengths and weaknesses in the available measures. Among other things, our review suggests the need for better measurement of the higher‐order activation dimension and for a more compelling taxonomy at the lower‐order level. We then examine several general issues that are broadly relevant to the overall construct validity of mood measures, focusing on such potential problems as: (1) random measurement error, (2) social desirability, and (3) the acquiescence response bias. Finally, we focus specifically on scales assessing long‐term individual differences in affectivity, reviewing such issues as: (1) temporal stability, (2) self‐peer agreement, and (3) the construct validity of general versus aggregated measures of trait affect.
 Research Methods in Psychology

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