Chapter EIGHT Emotions and Moods

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.

Affect A broad range of emotions that people experience What Are Emotions? Affect A broad range of emotions that people experience Emotions Intense feelings that are directed at someone or something Moods Feelings that tend to be less intense than emotions and that lack a contextual stimulus

Aspects of Emotions Biology of Emotions Intensity 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 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 Negative Moods are Highest At the Beginning of the Week And show little variation throughout the day

Gender and Emotions Women Men 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 Emotions Organizational Influences Cultural Influences Individual Emotions

Emotional 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 Emotions Felt Emotions An individual’s actual emotions Displayed Emotions Emotions that are organizationally required and considered appropriate in a given job

Note: Higher emotional labor equals more highly paid jobs (with high cognitive requirements) Internals (Internal locus of control) Individuals who believe that they control what happens to them.

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) Source: 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. E X H I B I T 8–6

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

OB 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) 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).

Chapter Check-up: Emotions and Moods 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.

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

Chapter 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. Hint: Consider this woman! Why might she NOT always feel this way?