The benefits of positive affect? Dysregulated positive activation in the workplace as a function of emotional intelligence

Abstract

ABSTRACT The positive psychology literature has suggested that states of positive activation (high arousal positive affect) are broadly beneficial, but the clinical psychology literature has highlighted phenomena counter to this idea. By aligning a dual process model of self-regulation with functions ascribed to emotional intelligence, the present investigation pursued the premise that the behavioral tendencies elicited by positive activation are likely to vary – and perhaps qualitatively so – by variations in ability-related emotional intelligence (ability EI). In two studies (total N = 248), employees characterized their levels of positive activation in the workplace and reported on their tendencies toward counterproductive work behavior (e.g., theft). In both studies, affect/behavior relationships varied by emotional intelligence, such that states of positive activation precipitated counterproductive behaviors, but only at low levels of ability EI. The findings highlight a critical role for ability-related emotional intelligence in understanding reflexive behavioral responses to positive activation states.