Positive and Negative Affect (PANAS)

The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson, Clark & Tellegen) measures two independent sides of your emotional background: positive affect (interest, energy, enthusiasm) and negative affect (anxiety, guilt, irritation). These are two separate scales, not ends of one axis: high positive does not mean low negative, and vice versa. What matters is the ratio and which of the two dominates right now.

Before you start

This is a snapshot of your emotional background over the past week, not a character trait. Affect fluctuates with circumstances, sleep, health, and events. High negative affect doesn't mean "you're too emotional" — it's a signal that something is currently pulling your mood down.