Ob12 08st

© 2007 Prentice Hall Inc. All rights reserved.

Emotions

and

Moods

Chapter EIGHT


Emotions - Why Emotions Were Ignored in OBEmotions - Why Emotions Were Ignored in OB

The “myth of rationality”– Organizations are not emotion-free.

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?

MoodsMoodsFeelings that tend to be Feelings that tend to be less intense than less intense than emotions and that lack a emotions and that lack a contextual stimulus.contextual stimulus.

MoodsMoodsFeelings that tend to be Feelings that tend to be less intense than less intense than emotions and that lack a emotions and that lack a contextual stimulus.contextual stimulus.

EmotionsEmotionsIntense feelings that are Intense feelings that are directed at someone or directed at someone or something.something.

EmotionsEmotionsIntense feelings that are Intense feelings that are directed at someone or directed at someone or something.something.

AffectAffectA broad range of emotions A broad range of emotions

that people experience.that people experience.

AffectAffectA broad range of emotions A broad range of emotions

that people experience.that people experience.



Emotion DimensionsEmotion Dimensions

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 Affect


SOURCES OF EMOTIONS AND MOODS SOURCES OF EMOTIONS AND MOODS

PersonalityDay and Time of the WeekNOT Weather StressSocial ActivitiesSleep ExerciseAgeGender


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


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

OrganizationalOrganizationalInfluencesInfluences

OrganizationalOrganizationalInfluencesInfluences

CulturalCulturalInfluencesInfluences

CulturalCulturalInfluencesInfluences

IndividualIndividualEmotionsEmotions

IndividualIndividualEmotionsEmotions


Emotional LaborEmotional Labor

Emotional Labor

A situation in which an employee expresses organizationally desired

emotions during interpersonal transactions.


Felt versus Displayed EmotionsFelt versus 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 = more highly paid jobs (with high cognitive requirements)


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

Emotions are negative or positive responses to a work environment event.

– 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:

– 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 & persist) Empathy (sense & understand what others feel) Social Skills (can handle the emotions of others)

Research Findings: High EI scores, not high IQ scores, characterize high performers.


OB Applications of Understanding EmotionsOB Applications of Understanding Emotions

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).

• Productivity failures• Property theft and destruction• Political actions• Personal aggression


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 Moods


Discuss with your neighbor how

low positive affect is the same or

different as high negative affect.



Roberto comes to class and sits quietly

looking content and relaxed. The

teacher is guessing that Roberto is

Low on negative affectLow on negative affect

High on positive affectHigh on positive affect

High on negative affectHigh on negative affect

Low on positive affectLow on positive affect


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

on positive affect.



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?

Ob12 08st

Education

positive emotions

displayed emotions

experience emotions

selection emotions

duration of emotions

emotions women

desired emotions

past emotions