Questionnaire Description:
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LOT-R (Life Orientation Test- Revised)
The Life Orientation Test (LOT) was developed to assess individual differences in generalized optimism versus pessimism. This measure, and its successor the LOT-R, have been used in a good deal of research on the behavioral, affective, and health consequences of this personality variable. An updated review of that literature can be found in the following article:
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C.(2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 879-889. [ ]
Although the LOT was widely used, it had some problems. Most important, its original items did not all focus as explicitly on expectations for the future as theory dictated. In part to remedy this deficiency, we developed a modest revision of the LOT, called LOT-R. It was published in the following article:
Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A re-evaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 1063-1078. [ ]
We (and other people) have used the LOT-R in a good deal of research. More information on this work is contained in some of the articles on . A Spanish version of the LOT-R can be found . A French version can be found . A Serbian version can be found . A Italian version can be found .
The LOT-R is a very brief measure that is easy to use. Its brevity makes it ideal for use in projects in which many measures are being used. Please note that this is a research instrument, not intended for clinical applications. There are no “cut-offs” for optimism or pessimism; we use it as a continuous dimension of variability.
