The word "PANAS" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation may be somewhat confusing for non-Malay speakers. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is transcribed as /pɑnəs/. The first syllable, "pa", has an open back unrounded vowel (IPA symbol: /ɑ/), which sounds like the "a" in "father." The second syllable, "nas," has a schwa sound (IPA symbol: /ə/), which is a neutral vowel that is pronounced like the "u" in "above." Together, "panas" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, sounding like "PA-nuhs."
PANAS is an acronym that represents the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. It is a psychological measurement tool developed to assess a person's positive and negative emotions or affects. The PANAS is commonly used in research and clinical settings to gain insights into individuals' emotional states and overall well-being.
The PANAS consists of a list of words or statements that describe various emotions or feelings. Participants are asked to rate the extent to which they have experienced each emotion within a certain period, typically over the past week or month. The scale includes both positive affects, such as happiness, joy, and enthusiasm, as well as negative affects, such as sadness, anger, and fear. Through the measurement of both positive and negative emotions, the PANAS aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual's affectivity.
The scores obtained from the PANAS can be used to interpret the individual's emotional well-being, mood disorders, personality traits, and other psychological constructs associated with affectivity. Researchers and clinicians often analyze the two subscales separately, comparing positive affective scores with negative affective scores. This allows for a multifaceted evaluation of an individual's emotional profile.
Overall, the PANAS offers a standardized and widely used method for assessing positive and negative emotions in various contexts, contributing to a better understanding of human affectivity and psychological well-being.