Appendix C

APPENDIX C – Davis Interpersonal Reactivity Index

28-Item Interpersonal Reactivity Index with Subscales

Fantasy Scale-(Standardized alpha coefficients: Males, .78; Females, .79)

26. When I am reading an interesting story or novel, I imagine how I would feel if the events in the story were happening to me. (FS)
27. I really get involved with the feelings of the characters in a novel. (FS)
28. I am usually objective when I watch a movie or play, and I don’t often get completely caught up in it. (FS) (-)

16. After seeing a play or movie, I have felt as though I were one of the characters. (FS)
17. I daydream and fantasize, with some regularity, about things that might happen to me. (FS)
18. Becoming extremely involved in a good book or movie is somewhat rare for me. (FS) (-)
19. When I watch a good movie, I can very easily put myself in the place of a leading character. (FS)

Perspective-Taking Scale-(Standardized alpha coefficients: Males, .71; Females, .75)

28. Before criticizing somebody, I try to imagine how I would feel if I were in their place. (PT)
29. If I’m sure I’m right about something, I don’t waste much time listening to other people’s arguments. (PT) (-)
30. I sometimes try to understand my friends better by imagining how things look from their perspective. (PT)
31. I believe that there are two sides to every question and try to look at them both. (PT)
32. I sometimes find it difficult to see things from the “other guy’s” point of view. (PT) (-)
33. I try to look at everybody’s side of a disagreement before I make a decision. (PT)
34. When I’m upset at someone, I usually try to “put myself in his shoes” for a while. (PT)

Empathic Concern Scale-(Standardized alpha coefficients: Males, .68; Females, .73)

9. When I see someone being taken advantage of, I feel kind of protective toward them. (EC)
10. When I see someone being treated unfairly, I sometimes don’t feel very much pity for them. (EC) (-)
11. I often have tender, concerned feelings for people less fortunate than me. (EC)
12. I would describe myself as a pretty soft-hearted person. (EC)4. Sometimes I don’t feel sorry for other people when they are having problems. (EC) (-)
13. Other people’s misfortunes do not usually disturb me a great deal. (EC) (-)
14. I am often quite touched by things that I see happen. (EC)

Personal Distress Scale-(Standardized alpha coefficients: Males, .77; Females, .75)

27. When I see someone who badly needs help in an emergency, I go to pieces. (PD)
28. I sometimes feel helpless when I am in the middle of a very emotional situation. (PD)
29. In emergency situations, I feel apprehensive and ill at ease. (PD)
30. I am usually pretty effective in dealing with emergencies. (PD) (-)
31. Being in a tense emotional situation scares me. (PD)
32. When I see someone get hurt, I tend to remain calm. (PD) (-)

24. I tend to lose control during emergencies. (PD)