The study investigated the effect of response mode variation (the use or non-use of separate answer sheets) on subject responses (N = 1017) to affective instruments treating both instrument and subject characteristics. Instrument characteristics examined included attitudinal versus personality scale composition, scale items written in first versus third-person mode and variations in response actions (circling, writing or darkening response). Subject characteristics investigated were individual differences due to cognitive style (flexibility of closure), and school grade level (junior high, high school or college). Results indicated significant score differences across scales with and without answer sheets. (Author)