Abstract
In this study we examine the role of general and task-specific affect on task and goal choice in a performance setting. We use video stimuli to induce a general positive or general negative affective state, and use rate-of-progress and absolute discrepancy feedback to manipulate task-specific affect. Analyses indicate that general affective states influenced task and goal choices, self-efficacy expectations, and performance. Rate-of-progress feedback influenced affective state, task choice, and self-efficacy expectations. Absolute discrepancy feedback influenced task choice modestly and self-efficacy significantly. Generally, positive affect promoted mood maintenance while negative affect promoted mood repair, and general and task-specific affect exerted similar effects. Results are discussed in terms of the motivational consequences of affective states (either general or task-specific) for task and goal choices.
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Saavedra, R., Earley, P.C. Choice of task and goal under conditions of general and specific affective inducement. Motiv Emot 15, 45–65 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991475
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991475