Emotions

and

Moods

Chapter EIGHT

Emotions—Why Emotions Were Ignored in OB

Emotions—Why Emotions Were Ignored in OB

Emotions are critical factor in employee behavior. The “myth of rationality” Emotions of any kind are disruptive to

organizations.– Original OB focus was solely on the effects of strong

negative emotions that interfered with individual and organizational efficiency.

What Are Emotions?What Are Emotions?

MoodsFeelings that tend to be less intense than emotions and that lack a contextual stimulus

MoodsFeelings that tend to be less intense than emotions and that lack a contextual stimulus

EmotionsIntense feelings that are directed at someone or something

EmotionsIntense feelings that are directed at someone or something

AffectA broad range of emotions that people experience

AffectA broad range of emotions that people experience

Aspects of EmotionsAspects of Emotions

Biology of Emotions– Originate in brain’s limbic system

Intensity of Emotions– Personality

– Job requirements Frequency and Duration of Emotions

– How often emotions are exhibited

– How long emotions are displayed Functions of Emotions

– Critical for rational thinking

– Motivate people

Mood as Positive and Negative AffectMood as Positive and Negative Affect

Sources of Emotions and Moods Sources of Emotions and Moods

Personality Day and Time of the Week NOT Weather Stress Social Activities Sleep Exercise Age Gender

Positive Moods are Highest

• At the End of the Week

• In the Middle Part of the Day

Positive Moods are Highest

• At the End of the Week

• In the Middle Part of the Day

Negative Moods are Highest

• At the Beginning of the Week

And show little variation throughout the day

Negative Moods are Highest

• At the Beginning of the Week

And show little variation throughout the day

Gender and EmotionsGender and Emotions

Women– Can show greater emotional expression– Experience emotions more intensely– Display emotions more frequently– Are more comfortable in expressing emotions– Are better at reading others’ emotions

Men– Believe that displaying emotions is inconsistent with

the male image– Are innately less able to read and to identify with

others’ emotions– Have less need to seek social approval by showing

positive emotions

External Constraints on EmotionsExternal Constraints on Emotions

OrganizationalInfluences

OrganizationalInfluences

CulturalInfluences

CulturalInfluences

IndividualEmotions

IndividualEmotions

Emotional LaborEmotional Labor

A situation in which an employee expresses organizationally desired emotions during interpersonal transactions.

Emotional dissonance—Inconsistencies between the emotions we feel and the emotions we project.

Felt vs. Displayed EmotionsFelt vs. Displayed Emotions

Felt Emotions

An individual’s actual emotions

Displayed Emotions

Emotions that are organizationally required and considered appropriate in a given job

•Internals (Internal locus of control) Individuals who believe that they control what happens to them.

Note: Higher emotional labor equals more highly paid jobs (with high cognitive requirements)

Note: Higher emotional labor equals more highly paid jobs (with high cognitive requirements)

Affective Events Theory (AET)Affective Events Theory (AET)

Work events trigger positive and negative emotional reactions– Personality and mood determine the intensity of the

emotional response.

– Emotions can influence a broad range of work performance and job satisfaction variables.

Implications of the theory ACT– Individual response reflects emotions and mood cycles.

– Current and past emotions affect job satisfaction.

– Emotional fluctuations create variations in job satisfaction and performance.

– Both negative and positive emotions can distract workers and reduce job performance.

Affective Events Theory (AET)Affective Events Theory (AET)

E X H I B I T 8–6E X H I B I T 8–6Source: Based on N.M. Ashkanasy and C.S. Daus, “Emotion in the Workplace: The New

Challenge for Managers,” Academy of Management Executive, February 2002, p. 77.

Emotional IntelligenceEmotional Intelligence

Self-awareness = Know how you feel Self-management = Manage your emotions and

impulses Self-motivation = Can motivate yourself and persist Empathy = Sense and understand what others feel Social Skills = Can handle the emotions of others

Self-awareness = Know how you feel Self-management = Manage your emotions and

impulses Self-motivation = Can motivate yourself and persist Empathy = Sense and understand what others feel Social Skills = Can handle the emotions of others

Research Findings: Characterize high performers, high EI scores, not high IQ scores.

OB Applications of Emotions and MoodsOB Applications of Emotions and Moods

Emotions and Selection– Emotions affect employee effectiveness.

Decision Making– Emotions are an important part of the decision-making

process in organizations. Creativity

– Positive mood increases creativity. Motivation

– Emotional commitment to work and high motivation are strongly linked.

Leadership– Emotions are important to acceptance of messages

from organizational leaders.

OB Applications . . . (cont’d)OB Applications . . . (cont’d)

Interpersonal Conflict– Conflict in the workplace and individual emotions are

strongly intertwined. Negotiation

– Emotions can impair negotiations. Customer Services

– Emotions affect service quality delivered to customers which, in turn, affects customer relationships.

Job Attitudes– Can carry over to home

Deviant Workplace Behaviors– Negative emotions lead to employee deviance

(actions that violate norms and threaten the organization).

Lucy has a high need for achievement and likes

to come to work and focus on her job only. If

you were Lucy’s manager, how could you get

her to feel more emotion at work? Would you

want her to? Why or why not? Discuss with a

classmate.

Chapter Check-up: Emotions and MoodsChapter Check-up: Emotions and Moods

Discuss with your neighbor how low positive

affect is the same or different as high

negative affect.

Discuss with your neighbor how low positive

affect is the same or different as high

negative affect.

Chapter Check-up: Emotions and MoodsChapter Check-up: Emotions and Moods

Roberto comes to class and sits quietly

looking content and relaxed. The teacher is

guessing that Roberto is:

Low on negative affect

High on positive affect

High on negative affect

Low on positive affect

Chapter Check-up: Emotions and MoodsChapter Check-up: Emotions and Moods

Discuss with a neighbor why Roberto, who is seemingly happy but calm, isn’t just low on positive affect.

Discuss with a neighbor why Roberto, who is seemingly happy but calm, isn’t just low on positive affect.

Chapter Check-up: Emotions and MoodsChapter Check-up: Emotions and Moods

Do you think there could be emotional and mood

implications for telecommuting? If yes, how so?

Discuss with a classmate.

Do you think there could be emotional and mood

implications for telecommuting? If yes, how so?

Discuss with a classmate.

Hint: Consider this woman!

Why might she NOT always feel this way?