The influence of positive affective states on task perceptions and satisfaction

The present study investigated the influence of temporary affective states on perceptions of task characteristics and task satisfaction. Affective states, or moods, were defined as emotion-like states which lack an obvious referent and tend not to disrupt ongoing activity. Subjects evaluated teaching assistant candidates under two levels of task design (enriched vs unenriched). Half the subjects were placed in a positive mood state by showing them a brief videotape of television/movie bloopers. The other subjects received no mood induction and were treated as controls. Dependent variables were ratings of task characteristics and task satisfaction. Consistent with previous research, a strong main effect for task design was found on both task characteristics and satisfaction. More central to this investigation, affective states also had a significant effect on task characteristics and satisfaction. Implications of these results for interpretation and use of the job characteristics model were discussed. © 1989