Summary
The Differential Emotions Scale (DES) is a standardized instrument that reliably divides the individual’s description of emotion experience into validated, discrete categories of emotion. The DES was formulated to gouge the emotional state of individuals at that specific point in time when they are responding to the instrument.
e) Theoretical background: theories/models underlying the tool/method
Izard, 1972, 1977
Description
The DES instructions ask the respondents to consider the experience they described and to rate how often s/he experienced each emotion item during the experience. The DES is formulated around a thirty-item adjective checklist, with three adjectives of each of the ten emotions that are considered to be fundamental by Izard (1992): joy,surprise, anger, disgust, contempt, shame, guilt, fear, interest, and sadness. Each item is administered on a 5-point (never to very often) scale.
Strengths
validated instrument, backed by extensive research; not specifically designed for use in product evaluation settings.
Weaknesses
same drawbacks as with all subjective scales; The DES was not developed with product design in mind and may not include all emotions relevant for product experience. In addition, some emotions that are relevant may be missing.