Is emotional intensity a general construct?

Intensity and variability are claimed to be important characteristics of emotional responding. Irrespective of the valence attached to a particular mood, individuals are said to respond with a consistent intensity and degree of variability. Mood variability has been reported as an important general factor in a number of studies. Intensity, however, as defined by Larsen and Diener (Journal of Research in Personality, 21, 1–39, 1987), has recently been criticised for capitalizing upon a statistical artifact. Despite this, other indices of intensity exist that are free of statistical peculiarities. Peak and trough moods and a questionnaire measure of intensity (AIM) were used to assess the possibility that intensity is an important general construct across moods. The results did not support this hypothesis. Intensity is specific to particular moods, whilst mood variability is consistent across moods.