Reexamining the circumplex model of affect

The circumplex model of affect has been among the most widely studied repre sentations of affect. Despite the considerable evidence cited in support of it, methods typically used to evaluate the model have substantial limitati ons. In this article, the authors attempt to correct past limitations by us ing a covariance structure model specifically designed to assess circumplex structure. This model was fit to 47 individual correlation matrices from p ublished data sets. Analyses revealed that model fit was typically acceptab le and that opposing affective states usually demonstrated strong negative corralations with one another. However, analyses also indicated substantial variability in both model fit and correlations among opposing affective st ates and suggested several characteristics of studies that partially accoun ted for this variability. Detailed examination of the locations of affectiv e states for 10 of the correlation matrices with relatively optimal charact eristics provided mixed support for the model.