Effect of induced mood states on activity and self-reported affect.

Eighty-eight males and females partiocipated in one of three affect inducing conditions which involved reading neutral, depression, or elation statements. Subjects in the depression condition, in contrast to the elation group, reported themselves to be more depressed, anxious, and hostile, were less expansive in graphic expression and less likelyto prefer activities of a social and physical nature. Responses in thl neutral group fell between elation and depression. Implications are suggested for a cognitive mediation theory of depression. (Author) EFFECT OF INDUCED MOOD STATES ON ACTIVITY AND SELF REPORTED AFFECT Bonnie R. Strickland, W. Daniel Hale University of Massachusetts Lind Linda K. Anderson Emory University U S DEPARtMENT Of NEALTN, EDUCATION 6 WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION DO? umf Nt HAS RE EN RE PRO Du( EP ERA( tit AS ifECF 1%4 D FROM ?LIE PT fit SoN OR ORGRAtolAtIOft count% AT tref, IT 01N,s of vrt w OR OPIN/ONS St A? D Do NO? NE CESsaati. RETIRE SENT 011 tt tAt NAT tONAI INVo ? Of E not A tIONI POSITION OR Pot ICY A mmber of personality and social psychologists have attempted to investigate those personal affect states and situational determinants that lead to altruistic or prosocial behaviors. Berkowitz and Connor (1966) found students more likely to be helpful toward othrs after completing a task on which they were successful. These researchers suggested that prosocial behavior was enhrInced by the positive affect induced by success which they called the glow of will. Bryan and London (1970), Isen (1970), and Krebs (1970) have also reached similar conclusions, namely that subjects feel good ,fter successful experiences and are more likely to env-a7e in altraisti(; behaviors. A possible problem in this research, however, is the extent to which a sense of competence (Kazdin and Bryan, 1971) or perhaps expectancy of success (Feather, 1966) is contributing to the results rather than, MI rtl or in addition to, positive affect. Moore, Underwood and 441Rosenhan (1973) attempted to clarify this problem experimen4 CZe