Short communications: Circumventing self-reflection when measuring emotions: The implicit positive and negative affect test (IPANAT)

Abstract

This paper presents a recently developed method for the indirect assessment of emotional traits and states, the Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test (IPANAT). In the IPANAT individuals make judgments about the degree to which artificial words sound like mood adjectives (e.g., happy or helpless). It is proposed that cognitive representations of emotions as being dominant in individuals with high sensitivity to these emotions instantaneously bring the judgments into their line. Recent findings are summarized that speak for appropriate reliability and validity of the IPANAT. As a paper-pencil test, the IPANAT is easy in application and takes no longer than 2 minutes. These properties may render this measure attractive for both basic and applied psychology. © 2010 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.