Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
PsychologyReliability: PA alpha 0.86–0.90; NA alpha 0.84–0.874 sample items
About this scale
A 20-item measure of positive (10) and negative (10) affect. Items are rated on a 5-point scale and the time frame is flexible (right now, today, past week, in general). Foundational for affect research.
Sample item(s)
“Interested (PA)”
“Excited (PA)”
“Distressed (NA)”
“Upset (NA)”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: PA alpha 0.86–0.90; NA alpha 0.84–0.87. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
PANAS-X and I-PANAS-SF are validated extensions/short forms.
Source & citation
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, Vol. 54, No. 6, pp. 1063–1070.
Watson, Clark & Tellegen (1988): PANAS. JPSP, 54(6), 1063–1070.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
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Need to check the reliability or psychometrics of this scale in your own data? Use the free DrAIStudio research tools:
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