Effect of inducing mood on cognitive and behavioral performance

Different daily emotions have different effects on people and each of these emotions play a facilitating or inhibitory role in cognitive and behavioral performances. The aim of this study was investigating the effect of induced mood on male and female students’ behavioral and cognitive performance.

This quasi-experimental study was performed in 2010 in Tabriz. 36 students were selected among the students of Tabriz University by available sampling method. Subjects were divided into three 12-subject groups of positive mood induction, negative mood induction and control. After applying the 3 levels of mood induction, measurement of dependent variables (behavioral and cognitive performance) was done by chronoscope and a researcher-made test (numbers countdown). Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using ANOVA method and Tukey’s post-hoc test.

Gender didn’t have a significant effect on behavioral and cognitive performance (p>0.05), but the effect of mood was significant on behavioral and cognitive performance (p<0.05). The interactional effect of gender and mood on behavioral and cognitive performance was not significant (p>0.05).

Induced mood can affect the individual’s performance. Negative mood induction has destructive effects on individuals’ behavioral and cognitive performance and positive mood induction has positive effects. This issue shows the priority of emotion to cognition in struggle of cognition and emotion.