Affective Metrics: Unraveling Response Processes in Daily Life

Affect, the fluctuating experience of pleasure and displeasure, is the fabric our daily lives. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) stands as a prominent tool in affect research, capturing the nuances of affective dynamics in real-world contexts. This approach relies on participants repeatedly rating their affective states within specified timeframes and on predefined response scales.  Central to ESM studies is the adaptation of timeframes and response scales to the specific research context. However, a key challenge lies in ensuring participants consistently interpret and adhere to these timeframes and scales. Our project addresses these challenges by exploring participants' response processes, focusing on their understanding and application of temporal reference frames and response scales. In Objective 1, a lab-based cognitive interview study and a complementary ESM study will examine how participants engage with temporal frames in controlled and everyday settings. Objective 2 combines lab studies and cognitive interviews to explore how participants perceive and report emotions across contexts, guiding the refinement of response scales. Objective 3 tests participant-generated versus standardized response scales in ESM studies, investigating their interaction with temporal frames. By integrating cognitive interviews with robust validation frameworks, this project aims to enhance the reliability of ESM measures, providing deeper insights into affect dynamics in daily life.