Emotion Recognition Questionnaire

The Emotion Recognition Questionnaire (ERQ) is based on vignettes created for emotion research and therapy by Ribordy, Camras, Stefani, and Spaccarelli (1988). The original questionnaire consisted of 30 vignettes that described in one or two sentences various situations applicable to children that are likely to produce one of six particular emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust.

Abstract: The Emotion Recognition Questionnaire is adapted from vignettes created for emotion recognition research and therapy by Ribordy et al. (1988). The questionnaire used by the Fast Track Project consists of 16 items, with four vignettes for each of four emotions-happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. The questionnaire was completed for all three cohorts during the first three years of the study. The administration procedure for this measure was also adapted by having a nonverbal response mode. The interviewer first ascertained that the child could identify the emotion depicted in each of four drawings-happy, sad, anger, and afraid. Then, the interviewer would read each vignette to the child and the child would choose the emotion responses for the child in the story (gender specific) by selecting a drawing of one of the four facial expressions. There are four subscales: Happy, Sad, Angry, and Afraid. Subscale scores are simply the sum of correct responses, which can range from 0 to 4. Correct responses are when a child identifies the intended emotion for the vignette. There is also a total scale score, the sum of all correct items, with a possible range of 0 to 16. "Don't know" or no responses are scored as incorrect responses; thus, the only missing data on the measure is for uncompleted questionnaires. Analysts should note that three of the subscales showed a fairly normal distribution for both the normative and high-risk samples. These subscales were Number Angry Correct, Number Sad Correct, and Total Number Correct. Both the normative and the high-risk samples were negatively skewed for Number Happy Correct and for Number Afraid Correct. The subscale Happy showed a ceiling effect for the normative sample, with 67% of the children scoring a 4 on this scale, which is the highest possible score.

Who Completed this Measure?: select one

Cohort 1 - Administrative History

  • Year 01 | K | age 6
  • Year 02 | grade 1 | age 7
  • Year 03 | grade 2 | age 8

Cohort 2 - Administrative History

  • Year 01 | K | age 6
  • Year 02 | grade 1 | age 7
  • Year 03 | grade 2 | age 8

Cohort 3 - Administrative History

  • Year 01 | K | age 6
  • Year 02 | grade 1 | age 7
  • Year 03 | grade 2 | age 8

Technical Reports:

Raw Dataset Name: CyC

Scored Dataset Name: ERQySCc

Is this Measure Available for Public Use?: No

Obtain Measure:

Sheila C. Ribordy, Ph.D.
Director, DePaul University Community Mental Health Center
DePaul University
Byrne Hall, Rm. 305
2219 N. Kenmore Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: 773-325-7787
Email: sribordy@wppost.depaul.edu