Abstract
Research concerning the impact of positive mood on cognitive performance is inconsistent. We suggest that specific self-efficacy moderates this relationship. The current study proposed that participants in a positive mood with a high level of specific self-efficacy would anticipate mood-maintaining success on a task. Hence, they would be more strongly motivated, and perform better on the task, than individuals in other moods. Conversely, participants in a positive mood with low specific self-efficacy should expect mood-threatening failure. Thus, these individuals should be less motivated and perform more poorly than individuals in other moods. The current study included 139 participants with different levels of specific self-efficacy performing a comprehension task in either a positive or negative mood or a control condition. Results confirmed our hypothesis whereby specific self-efficacy affects cognitive performance but only during a positive mood. These findings support the role of specific self-efficacy in maintaining positive mood by regulating task activity.
Highlights
Studies investigating cognitive performance during a positive mood have yielded inconclusive results
The current study proposed that participants in a positive mood with a high level of specific self-efficacy would anticipate mood-maintaining success on a task
Models of potential moderators have been suggested (Bless et al 1996; Martin et al 1993; Wegener et al 1995, Ziegler 2014). These moderating models propose that a positive mood leads to either better or worse cognitive performance depending on situational circumstances (Bless et al 1996) or regulatory aspects of the positive mood itself (Martin et al 1993; Wegener et al 1995; Ziegler 2014)
Summary
Studies investigating cognitive performance during a positive mood have yielded inconclusive results. Individuals in a positive mood with low SSE should anticipate failure during a relevant activity Failure could impair their mood, leading to less motivation and poorer performance compared to individuals with low SSE level performing the task in other mood conditions. Based on assumptions regarding expectancies of low versus high SSE individuals in a positive mood, we expected that the effect of SSE on mood and cognitive performance should be more pronounced for positive relative to the other mood groups. Motivation among individuals in negative and neutral moods should be less dependent on whether the task is satisfying and whether they feel efficacious These participants’ cognitive performance should be less dependent on SSE
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