MORE ON THE MOOD-EMOTION DISTINCTION
Commentary on Nesse on Mood

Abstract

Nesse fails to adhere to the accepted distinctions between mood and emotion, namely, that emotions are aroused by specific objects whereas moods have no such specific referent. Despite this point, we are remarkably close in our analysis of the function of mood. I find it reassuring that we end up with such a similar analysis given that we are relying upon such different sources.

Keywords

References

• Ingram, R. E. (1990). Self-focused attention in clinical disorders: Review and a conceptual model. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 156-176.
• Isen, A. M. (1984). Toward understanding the role of affect in cognition. In R.S. Wyer & T.K. Srull (Eds.), Handbook of social cognition (pp. 179-236), Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
• Jacobsen, E. (1957). Normal and pathological moods: Their nature and functions. In R.S. Eilser, A.F. Freud, H. Hartman, & E. Kris (Eds.), The psychoanalytic study of the child (pp. 73-113). New York: International Universities Press.
• Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. New York:Oxford University Press.
• Morris, W. N. (1989). Mood: The frame of mind. New York: Springer-Verlag.
• Morris, W. N. (1992). A functional analysis of the role of mood in affective systems. In M.S. Clark (Ed.), Emotion (pp. 256-293). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
• Morris, W. N. & Reilly, N. P. (1987). Toward the self-regulation of mood: Theory and research. Motivation and Emotion, 11, 215-249.
• Nowlis, V., & Nowlis, H. H. (1956). The description and analysis of mood. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 65, 345-355.
• Schwarz, N. (1990). Feelings as information: Informational and motivational functions of affective states. In E.T. Higgins & R. Sorrentino (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition (pp. 527-559). New York: Guilford.
• Thayer, R. E. (1989). The biopsychology of mood and arousal. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Wessman, A. E., & Ricks, D. F. (1966). Mood and personality. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.