Cluster Analysis of the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List.

摘要

Cluster analysis of the 132 words appearing on the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL) answer sheet were performed on six samples of respondents. Each of the six samples was composed of approximately 300 basic trainees who filled out the MAACL under differing instructional sets and at varying points during the training cycle. The results of the six cluster analyses consistently demonstrated the presence of two principal clusters of items; a positive affect cluster and a negative affect cluster. Using three criteria (repeated presence of item in same cluster, frequency with which item was checked by respondents, and desirable number of items) a 70-item instrument was proposed which, it is concluded, will accurately and validly measure the morale of basic training units. The proposed scoring for the instrument conceptualizes morale level as the point on a single dimension ranging from total saturation of a 35-item negative affect cluster (low morale) to total saturation of a 35-item positive affect cluster (high morale). (Author)