Framework for a comprehensive description and measurement of emotional states

The rationale for a general three-dimensional approach to measuring emotions (the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance, PAD, Emotional-State Model) is described. Evidence bearing on two early versions of the PAD scales is reviewed, and three studies report additional development and refinement of a final set of PAD scales. Factor analysis of 58 PAD items in Study 1, 41 PAD items in Study 2, and 34 PAD items in Study 3 consistently yielded three nearly orthogonal Pleasure, Arousal, and Dominance factors. The final 16-item State Pleasure, 9-item State Arousal, and 9-item State Dominance scales had alpha reliability coefficients of .97, .89, and .80, respectively. Across Studies 2 and 3, intercorrelations among the latter three scales did not exceed .09 in absolute value, showing that the scales provided a parsimonious base for the general assessment of emotional states. Discriminant and construct validity evidence for the scales were reviewed. Potential applications of the scales were noted.