Factor analysis

Test validity

Biology

Statistics

Developmental psychology

Psychometrics

Structural equation modeling

Emotional intelligence

Paleontology

Cronbach's alpha

Test (biology)

Confirmatory factor analysis

Psychology

Mathematics

Clinical psychology

Exploratory factor analysis

Psychological Reports

A sample of 183 medical students completed the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT V2.0). Scores on the test were examined for evidence of reliability and factorial validity. Although Cronbach's alpha for the total scores was adequate (.79), many of the scales had low internal consistency (scale alphas ranged from .34 to .77; median = .48). Previous factor analyses of the MSCEIT are critiqued and the rationale for the current analysis is presented. Both confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses of the MSCEIT item parcels are reported. Pictures and faces items formed separate factors rather than loading on a Perception factor. Emotional Management appeared as a factor, but items from Blends and Facilitation failed to load consistently on any factor, rendering factors for Emotional Understanding and Emotional Facilitation problematic.

Psychometrics of Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) Scores