Characteristics

Code:

A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-o

Focus:

Affect: Affect Balance (Various) (A-AB)

Time frame:

yesterday (yd)

Mode:

multiple questions (mq)

Scale Type:

verbal scale (v)

Scale Range:

2

Description

Self report on 11 questions

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday? How about..?
A  enjoyment
B  physical pain
C  worry
D  sadness
E  stress
F  anger
G depression

Did you yesterday..?
H feel well rested
I  smile and laugh a lot
J  learn or do something interesting
K were you treated with respect all day yesterday

Rated:
1: yes
0: no

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+H)+I+J+K)/5
- Average % negative affect = (B+C+D+E+F+G)/6
- Affect Balance = Average % positive affect - Average % negative affect

These questions do not measure hedonic level of affect of individual persons adequately, since yesterday's mood does not always correspond with typical average mood. Yet these questions can be used for measuring hedonic level in aggregates, such as nations, since individual variations balance out in big samples.