Emotions and Moods

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Emotions and Moods
Essentials of Organizational Behavior,
9/e Stephen P. Robbins/Timothy A. Judge

• Chapter 7

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After studying this chapter, you should be able
to

1. Differentiate emotions from moods.
2. Discuss the different aspects of emotions.
3. Identify the sources of emotions and moods.
4. Describe external constraints on emotions.
5. Discuss the impact emotional labor has on
   employees.
6. Discuss the case for and the case against
   emotional intelligence.
7. Apply concepts on emotions and moods to OB issues.

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Why have emotions been excluded from OB study?

• Myth of rationality emotions were the
  antithesis of rationality and should not be seen
  in the workplace
• Belief that emotions of any kind are disruptive
  in the workplace

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What are Emotions and Moods

• Affect a generic term that encompasses both
  emotions and moods
• Emotions intense feelings that are directed at
  someone or something
• Moods feelings that tend to be less intense
  than emotions and often lack a contextual stimulus

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Affect, Emotions and Moods
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Aspects of Emotions

• Biology of Emotions emotions originate in the
  brains limbic system, which is different for
  each person
• Intensity different people give different
  responses to identical emotion-provoking stimuli
• Frequency and Duration some emotions occur more
  frequently and emotions differ in how long they
  last

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Aspects of Emotions (cont.)

• Emotions and Rationality Our emotions provide
  important information about how we understand the
  world around us.
• Evolutionary Psychology states that we must
  experience emotions because they serve a purpose
  hard to know if this is valid all the time

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Sources of Emotions and Moods

• Personality predisposes people to experience
  certain moods and emotions. Affect intensity
  affects the strength of the emotion
• Day of week and Time of day more positive
  interactions will likely occur from mid-morning
  onwards and also later in the week

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Day of Week Impact on Mood
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More Sources

• Weather not an impact according to research
• Stress increased stress worsens moods
• Social Activities usually increase positive
  mood and have little effect on negative mood
• Sleep less sleep or poor quality sleep
  increases negative emotions

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More Sources

• Exercise enhances positive mood
• Age older people experience negative emotions
  less frequently
• Gender women show greater emotional expression,
  experience emotions more intensely and display
  more frequent expressions of emotions

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External Constraints on Emotions

• Organizational Influences most American
  organizations strive to be emotion-free
• Cultural Influences cultures vary in
• Degree to which people experience emotions
• Interpretation of emotions
• Norms for the expression of emotions

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Emotional Labor

• An employees expression of organizationally
  desired emotions during interpersonal
  transactions at work
• Emotional dissonance is when an employee has to
  project one emotion while feeling another one

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Felt vs. Displayed Emotions

• Felt emotions are the individuals actual
  emotions
• Displayed emotions are those that the
  organization requires workers to show
• Surface acting is hiding our true emotions
• Deep acting is trying to change ones feelings
  based on display rules

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Emotional Intelligence

• Ones ability to detect and manage emotional cues
  and information
• Five dimensions
• Self-awareness
• Self-management
• Self-motivation
• Empathy
• Social skills

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The case for EI

• Intuitive appeal it makes sense
• Evidence suggests that a high level of EI
  predicts high job performance
• Study suggests that EI is neurologically based

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The case against EI

• EI is too vague a concept
• EI cant be measured
• EI is so closely related to intelligence and
  personality that it is not unique when those
  factors are controlled

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OB Applications of Emotions and Moods

• Selection employers should consider EI a factor
  in hiring for jobs that demand a high degree of
  social interaction
• Decision Making Positive emotions can increase
  problem-solving skills and help us understand and
  analyze new information

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OB Applications of Emotions and Moods

• Creativity Positive moods increase creativity
• Motivation Organizations that promote positive
  moods are likely to have a more motivated
  workforce
• Leadership Emotions help convey messages more
  effectively

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OB Applications of Emotions and Moods

• Interpersonal Conflict it is critical to
  identify and work through the emotional elements
  in any conflict
• Negotiation emotions may impair negotiator
  performance
• Customer Service customers catch emotions
  from employees, called emotional contagion

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OB Applications of Emotions and Moods

• Job Attitudes emotions at work get carried home
  but rarely carry over to the next day
• Deviant Workplace Behaviors those who feel
  negative emotions are more likely to engage in
  deviant behavior at work

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Implications for Managers

• Understand the role of emotions and moods to
  explain and predict behavior
• Emotions and moods can increase motivation
• Emotional labor recognizes that certain feelings
  can be part of a jobs requirements
• Intense emotions can interfere with performance
  of complex jobs

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Summary

1. Differentiated emotions from moods.
2. Discussed the different aspects of emotions.
3. Identified the sources of emotions and moods.
4. Described external constraints on emotions.
5. Discussed the impact emotional labor has on
   employees.
6. Discussed the case for and the case against
   emotional intelligence.
7. Applied concepts on emotions and moods to OB
   issues.