Differential Emotions Scale

Example of the Differential Emotions Scale[1]

The Differential Emotions Scale (DES) (Izard, 1997s) is a multidimensional self-report device for assessment of an individual's emotions (whether fundamental emotions or patterns of emotions).[2] The DES helps measure mood based on Carroll Izard's differential emotions theory, [3] The DES consists of thirty items, three for each of the ten fundamental emotions as visualized by Izard: interest, joy, surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, shame/ shyness, and guilt, which are represented on 5-point Likert scale.[4] There are currently four different versions of the scale. Despite the different versions, the basic idea of are very similar. Participants are asked to rate each of the emotions on a scale, and depending on the instructions given, they either rate their current feelings, feelings over the past week, or over long-term traits (i.e. how often do you feel this emotion in your day-to-day living).[5] The DES is similar to other scales such as the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL) and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R) which are used to assess either the state or trait affect by varying the time of which instructions are given to the participants.[3]

  1. ^ Izard, Carol E. (1982). Measuring Emotions in Infants and Children. Cambridge: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. p. 253. ISBN 0521241715.
  2. ^ Izard, Caroll E. (1982). Measuring Emotions in Infants and Children. Cambridge: Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge. pp. 251–252. ISBN 0521241715.
  3. ^ a b Schinka, John A.; Velicer, Wayne F, eds. (2003). "Handbook of Psychology". Research Methods in Psychology. 2. ISBN 9780471385134.
  4. ^ Izard, Caroll E. (1991). The Psychology of Emotions. New York: Plenum Press. p. 103. ISBN 0306438658.
  5. ^ Coan, James A.; Allen, John J (2007). Handbook of Emotion Elicitation and Assessment. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195169157.