A UK dataset of 262 adjectives for cognitive-emotional tasks rated by young adults (Aged 18-24)
Description
This dataset comprises of 262 adjectives describing personality characteristics, rated by young adults (aged 18-24) based on three key factors: valence (the perceived positivity or negativity of a word), imageability (how easily one can create a mental image of the word), and frequency (how commonly the word is encountered in everyday language). The word list is designed to support the development and validation of experimental tasks in cognitive and emotional research relevant to younger populations. Word stimuli used in modern experimental tasks, such as those used in the Emotional Test Battery (ETB), are outdated, having been developed from a study conducted in 1968 with older adults. To address this gap, the present dataset was co-produced with a Young Person’s Advisory Group, adapting and a wordlist published by Raslescu et al. in 2022 to be more relevant to younger populations. The advisory group reviewed the list to remove outdated, ambiguous, or unfamiliar adjectives, and contributed suggestions for replacements, including additional terms relevant to irritability and contemporary emotional language. To characterise the updated word list, an online survey was conducted with over 600 participants aged 18–24. Participants were divided into three groups of approximately 200 individuals, each rating all 262 adjectives on one of the three dimensions (valence, imageability, or frequency). Demographic data, along with measures of depressive symptoms and state anxiety, were also collected. For each adjective and rating type, a range of descriptive statistics were computed, including mean, standard deviation, standard error, number of ratings, median, minimum, maximum, range, skewness, and kurtosis. These results were combined into a single dataset [Dataset Positive and Negative Personality Descriptor Words (18–24)] which includes measures of self-referential valence, imageability, subjective frequency, and word length. Only fully anonymised data are provided; all pseudonymous variables were removed by the research team prior to sharing. Supplementary materials are currently being prepared for release, including raw datasets, figures, R code, and demographic summaries.
Files
Steps to reproduce
The full R script to reproduce the final dataset are currently being prepared for release.
Institutions
- University of Oxford