Chapter 4 ob emotions & moods

1. Emotions & Moods Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be maintained quite unaltered through the course of hours. (Mark Twain)

2. Emotions, moods and OB The workplace was considered emotions and mood free space in the universe. The business has nothing to do with emotions and moods the people have either positive or negative. But recently it is felt that people make the workplace and as people are not free from emotions, so it is not possible to make emotions free place in the midst of people. There are two possible explanations: Myth of Rationality – no frustration, fear, anger, love , hate, joy, grief and similar feeling at job. Emotions are Disruptive – Negative -- frustrate the performance of employee, rarely constructive – enhance performance.

3. Three terms– Affect, emotion &mood Affect—A broad range of feelings that people experience. It can be experienced in the form of emotions and moods. Emotions– Intense feelings that are directed at someone or something. Moods– Feelings that tend to less intense than emotions and that lack a contextual stimulus.

4. Emotions and Moods Differentiated Emotions Caused by specific event. Very brief in duration (seconds or minutes ) Specific and numerous in nature- anger, fear, sadness, happiness, disgust, surprise Usually accompanied by distinct facial expressions. Action oriented in nature. Moods Cause is often general and unclear Last longer than emotions (hours or days) More general – positive and negative Generally not indicated by distinct expressions Cognitive in nature.

5. Structure of Moods High Negative affect down To Low positive affect Tense Nervous Stressed Upset Sad Depressed Bared Fatigued High Positive affect down To Low negative affect Alert Excited Elated Happy Content Serene Relaxed calm

6. Functions of Emotions The emotions are not irrational-- decisions be made on thinking and feelings Following are the functions that emotions Serve Positive affect – A mood dimension that consists of specific positive emotions such as excitement, self-assurance, and cheerfulness at the high end and boredom, sluggishness, and tiredness at the low end. Negative Affect – A mood dimension that consists of emotions such as nervousness, stress, and anxiety at the high end and relaxation, tranquility, and poise at the low end. Positivity offset – The tendency of most individuals to experience a mildly positive mood at zero input (when nothing in particular is going on). Evolutionary psychology – An area of inquiry which argues that we must experience the emotions we do because they serve a purpose.

7. Sources of Emotions & Moods From where emotions come: Personality: built in tendencies to experience certain moods & emotions more frequently. Affect Intensity– difference in strength to experience emotions Day of the Week and Time of the Day: day later in week or near to week end are felt with good emotions and moods. Early time of the day is felt with bad moods. Weather: people are of the opinion that their moods are good or bad due to weather conditions but research has not such evidence.

8. Sources of Emotions & Moods Stress: mounting level of stress worsen our moods. Stress takes toll on our moods. Social Activities: type of activity– physical, informal, epicurean (eating with others) create more positive affect than attending meetings and sedentary (TV watching). Sleep: Less and poor quality puts in bad mood and impairs decision making and control on emotions.

9. Sources of Emotions & Moods 7. Exercise: enhances positive moods – not much strong –do not expect miracles. 8. Age: Early age is with good moods –wrong People learn to improve emotional experience with age and have fewer negative emotions as they get more older. 9. Gender: Women experience emotions more intensely as compared to men except anger. But it depends how someone is culturally socialized. Men– are more tough- expression of emotions distorts the masculine image. Women– are expected to express more positive emotions than men –example shown by smiling.

10. OB Applications on Emotions & Mood Selection: criteria be adjusted. As people with emotions sold more than their counterparts with less emotional intelligence. Decision Making: Positive moods and emotions seen to help decision making. Positive moods– help problem solving skills, make quick decision. Negative moods– poorer decisions, perfectionist searching for perfect decision – hard to find.

11. OB Applications on Emotions & Mood 3. Creativity: people with Positive Moods open in thinking - that leads to creativity. Moreover, people in positive mood feel everything is going okay and do not feel to make change that hinders creativity. 4. Motivation: Positive moods – solved better word puzzles– who saw funny clip than the group with viewing funny puzzles. Positive feedback enhances positive moods that in turn results in better motivation to do job well.

12. OB Applications on Emotions & Mood 5. Leadership: Effective leadership rely on emotional appeals to help convey their messages. Excitements, enthusiastic and active leaders organize their subordinates better and convey better efficacy, competence, optimism. 6. Negotiation: the negotiators with anger better win over the opponents. Negative emotions about bad performance loose in future negotiations.

13. OB Applications on Emotions & Mood 7. Customer Service: Emotional worker do better business and repeat. More satisfaction is attach with emotional dealing. Emotional Contagion – the process by which peoples’ emotions are caused by the emotions of others. 8. Job Attitudes: “Never take your work home” but it not easy –people having a good day at work take good moods to their homes.

14. OB Applications on Emotions & Mood 7. Deviant Workplace Behavior: (violate established norms that threaten organizations or its’ members or both) Negative emotions lead to such behavior.