The role of mood in quantitative and qualitative aspects of performance: Single or multiple mechanisms?

Author(s): Levine, G. M., McDonald, H. E., Melton, R. J., Martin, L. L.

Journal/Book: J Exp Soc Psychol. 1997; 33: 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495. Academic Press Inc Jnl-Comp Subscriptions. 602-629.

Abstract: Previous research by Hirt, Melton, McDonald, and Harackiewicz (1996) found that mood effects on creativity were not mediated by the same mechanisms as were mood effects on quantitative measures of performance and evaluations of performance, suggesting that mood may simultaneously be working through different processes (dual process view). However, other research (Martin & Stoner, 1996; Sinclair, Mark, & Clore, 1994) supports a single process, mood-as-information model for similar effects of mood on processing. In the present research, we hypothesized that if a single, mood-as-information process accounts for mood effects on both creativity and quantitative performance, then all mood effects should be eliminated if participants are cued that their mood is irrelevant to the task (cf. Schwarz & Clore, 1983). We manipulated participants' moods prior to task performance and presented them with either an enjoyment-based or a performance-based stop rule; half of the participants were cued to the true source of their moods, half were not.

Note: Article Hirt ER, Indiana Univ, Dept Psychol, Bloomington,IN 47405 USA

Keyword(s): POSITIVE AFFECT; AFFECTIVE STATES; MEDIATIONAL ANALYSIS; PERSUASION; TASK; CATEGORIZATION; BEHAVIOR; GOALS; CREATIVITY; HYPOTHESIS

Zurück | Weiter