An Investigation of the Structure of the Social Optimism Scale with Respect to the Dimensionality Problem
Abstract
This paper reports an investigation of the structure of the social optimism scale. Research on structural homogeneity in other scales that are also composed of equal numbers of positively and negatively worded items suggests two alternative structures: a general optimism dimension or the combination of two specific dimensions representing social optimism and social pessimism. Since positively and negatively worded items can be regarded as two different observational methods, the combination of a general optimism dimension and two independent method dimensions needs to be considered. In order to achieve a satisfactory model fit, the three subscales of the social optimism scale have to be modeled as additional, uncorrelated dimensions. Investigating the different proposed models with structural equation modeling provides support for the position of a general optimism dimension and two independent method dimensions.
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