Negative affect

Last Updated: March 24, 2022

Negative affect refers to a wide range of feelings (affects) that don’t feel good (negative). Examples include fear, nervousness, and shame.

Summary

“Affect” is a broad term used in psychology for anything having to do with the mental component of emotions.[1] These mental events can have what psychologists call a valence: they can feel good or bad. “Negative affect” is a mental event associated with emotions that feels bad. Examples include sadness, fear, or shame.

One common scale that is used to measure both negative affect and positive (good-feeling) affect is the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).[2]

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References
  1. ^Lisa Feldman Barrett, Eliza Bliss-MoreauAffect as a Psychological PrimitiveAdv Exp Soc Psychol.(2009)
  2. ^D Watson, L A Clark, A TellegenDevelopment and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scalesJ Pers Soc Psychol.(1988 Jun)
Examine Database References
  1. Fish Oil - Annie T Ginty, Matthew F Muldoon, Dora C H Kuan, Brittney Schirda, Thomas W Kamarck, J Richard Jennings, Stephen B Manuck, Peter J GianarosOmega-3 Supplementation and the Neural Correlates of Negative Affect and Impulsivity: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Midlife AdultsPsychosom Med.(2017 Jun)