Author's personal copy Assessing emotions related to learning new software: The computer emotion scale Robin H. Kay * , Sharon Loverock University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Education, 2000 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H7L7 Available online 8 August 2007 Abstract To date, little research has been done on the role of emotions with respect to computer related behaviours. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable, valid scale to assess emotions while learning with computers. Four emotions (anger, anxiety, happiness, and sadness), selected after a detailed review of the research, were evaluated. Internally reliability estimates were acceptable. Con- struct validity was confirmed by an exploratory factor analysis. Convergent validity was supported by strong correlations among emotions and affective attitude, but not cognitive and behavioural atti- tudes. Finally, predictive validity was corroborated by consistent and significant correlations among emotion, computer knowledge, and use. Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Computer; Emotions; Anger; Anxiety; Scale; Measure; Computer use; Computer ability; Computer knowledge 1. Overview The study of emotions has shifted from the musings of philosophers to a multidisciplin- ary subject addressed by scientists, psychologists, and educators. Modern researchers have identified emotions as fundamental to human development and communication (see Oat- ley & Jenkins, 1992 for review). Scientific studies have also demonstrated the clinical effects of emotions resulting in chemical and hormonal changes in both the brain and the body 0747-5632/$ - see front matter Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2007.06.002 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 905 721 8668. E-mail address: robin.kay@uoit.ca (R.H. Kay). Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Computers in Human Behavior 24 (2008) 1605–1623 www.elsevier.com/locate/comphumbeh Computers in Human Behavior