Graduate Program
Clinical Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2004
Thesis Director
John B. Best
Abstract
The relationship between affective traits and predictive judgment was investigated using a mediation framework approach to examine whether the current mood state of participants acted as a mediator between traits and judgment. This relationship was examined for anxious trait, anxious mood, and judgment for negative events and for subjective well-being, happy mood, and judgment for positive events. A written scenario and an imaginal procedure were used to create anxious, happy, or neutral moods in participants, and a fourth group received a simple cognitive task. Results showed that the mood inductions were invalid. Given that the correlations necessary to test for mediation were found only in the happy mood induction group, the test for mediation was conducted only with this group, but no support for mediation was found. Implications of the results for Bower's (1981) associative network theory are discussed, as well as implications for judgment and decision-making.
Recommended Citation
Harewood, Janice E., "The Role of Mood as a Mediator in Trait-Congruent Cognitive Processing: Does Mood State Mediate the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Judgment?" (2004). Masters Theses. 1336.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1336
