Effects of negative mood on performance: reduced capacity or changed processing strategy?

Two theoretical positions are often used to explain the effects of negative mood on performance: the capacity view and the strategy view. The capacity position predicts a decrease of task-related performance whereas the strategy view presupposes an increase if the available strategies are adequate. The assumptions of both positions are tested using the paradigm of strategic priming. A group of 22 subjects receiving a negative mood induction were compared to 26 subjects receiving a neutral mood induction. Results clearly contradict the capacity view but favour the strategy position.