How can we measure our positive and negative emotions?

The Positive and Negative Affect schedule or (PANAS) is one of the most widely used affect scales. It considers positive and negative affect as two dominant, mostly independent dimensions of human emotions and feelings. It consists of a 20-question self-reported scale that asks participants the degree to which they relate to various words describing emotional states. Two scores are calculated: positive affect and negative affect. Positive affect refers to the propensity to experience positive emotions and interact with others positively, a state of enthusiasm, activity, and alertness. Negative affect encompasses distressful and aversive moods, including anger, contempt, disgust, guilt, and fear. While these two kinds of affect may seem to simply be two opposing ends of a singular dimension, they have been shown to be distinct, independent measures. PANAS contains 10 descriptor words associated with positive affect and 10 associated with negative affect. Scores are calculated by taking the sum of respondents’ ratings for each affect category. This scale demonstrates high reliability and validity and has remained one of the most commonly used self-reported affect scales for decades.

Resources:

• Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54(6), 1063.
• DePaoli, L. C., & Sweeney, D. C. (2000). Further validation of the positive and negative affect schedule. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 15(4), 561-568.
• Schmukle, S. C., Egloff, B., & Burns, L. R. (2002). The relationship between positive and negative affect in the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(5), 463-475.
• Riopel, L (2021) What is the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule? (PANAS) Positive Psychology
• https://www.brandeis.edu/roybal/docs/PANAS-GEN_website_PDF.pdf

Parameters
This survey cannot be tweaked.

What data is collected? How is it scored?
The following variables are recorded:

• PANAS_positive_affect
• PANAS_negative_affect

Raw data: 20 questions in a 5-point likert scale format. Scores are calculated by finding the sum of the 10 positive items, and then the 10 negative items. Scores range from 10-50. For the total positive score, a higher score indicates more of a positive affect. For the total negative score, a lower score indicates less of a negative affect.