An Examination into the Dyadic Effects of Mood in Social Interactions

Abstract

Much of the research on mood and communication has failed to examine the potential social and interactive attributes of mood suggested by studies involving affective contagion. An experiment involving 63 dyads was conducted manipulating the mood of both individuals involved to investigate these issues. Results suggest that the mood of both individuals can potentially impact an individual within an interaction. The findings are discussed, and future directions are suggested.

Keywords:

• Affect Contagion
• Affinity
• Communication Appropriateness
• Mood
• Power

Notes

*p < .05.

Prior to this experiment, both movie clips, along with two others (Austin Powers [happy] and Remember the Titans [sad]) were administered to five independent focus groups (n = 133). Each focus group was shown two movie clips (movie clip type and order were randomized). Following each clip, participants were asked to fill out a form of the pretest questionnaire (see the following) to evaluate the movie clips. Wedding Crashers was selected as the positive mood stimulus based on scoring the highest on happiness (M = 2.88, SD = 0.78) and the lowest on sadness (M = 0.11, SD = 0.33) among all movie clips. Likewise, Philadelphia was chosen due to it scoring the highest on sadness (M = 2.33, SD = 0.86) and the lowest on happiness (M = 0.26, SD = 0.42) of all movie clips.

For items not previously validated, exploratory factor analyses were performed to assess the measurement of the scales using principal axis factoring and direct oblimin rotation to assess the underlying structure causing latent variables and correlation among factors (Costello & Osborne, 2005; Kaiser, 1970). To determine the appropriateness of factoring for exploratory purposes, the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was evaluated (Kaiser, 1970).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chris R. Morse

Chris R. Morse (PhD, Pennsylvania State University, 2006) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Bryant University.

Julie E. Volkman

Julie E. Volkman (PhD, Pennsylvania State University, 2009) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Emerson College.