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Studies

Matlin & Gawron (1979): study US 1977

Publication

Author(s):
Matlin, M.W.; Gawron, V.J.
Title:
Individual Differences in Pollyannaism.
Source:
Journal of Personality Assessment. 1979, Vol. 43, 411 - 412

Investigation

Public
University students white, middle-class, State University of New-York, USA,197?
Sample
Respondents
N = 133
Non Response
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Questionnaire administered in class at two consecutive days.

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

".......happiness....."
(Full text not reported)
Classification:
O-H?-?-sq-?-*-a
Author's label:
Happiness
Full text:
Self report on single question:

Here is a picture of a ladder. Suppose we say that the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the  bottom represents the worst possible life for you. Where on the ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?   
[  10  ]  best possible life
[    9  ]
[    8  ]
[    7  ]
[    6  ]
[    5  ]
[    4  ]
[    3  ]
[    2  ]
[    1  ]
[    0  ]  worst possible life
                          
                                                                                
Preceded by 1)  open questions about what the respondent imagines as the best possible life and the worst possible life. 2) ratings on the ladder of one's life five years ago and  where on the ladder one expects to stand five years from now.

Name: Cantril's self anchoring ladder rating of life (original)
Classification:
C-BW-c-sq-l-11-a
Author's label:
Present Happiness

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Male Sex Sex: male (vs female) Optimism Optimistic Present Happiness O-HL by C-BW Pleasantness of past weekend Current joys Pollyannaism: pleasantness of pastweekend Positive reacting Pollyannaism: selfrating Positive reacting Pollyannaism: other rating Positive reacting Pollyannaism: rosier view in retrospect Positive reacting Social Desirability Approval seeking Brighter Future Expected change in happiness (period unspecified)
Current hope Pollyannaism: optimism about future Optimistic Pollyannaism: cognitive tendencies Positive reacting Pollyannaism: cognitive tendencies Positive reacting Pollyannaism: self rating Self-perceived happy nature Pollyannaism: other rating Trusting
Trust in people Pollyannaism: self rating Self-perceived happy nature Pollyannaism: other rating Trusting
Trust in people