Happy mood decreases self-focused attention

Br J Soc Psychol. 2003 Mar;42(Pt 1):147-57. doi: 10.1348/014466603763276171.

Abstract

Research addressing the influence of happy mood on self-focused attention has yielded inconsistent results. Some studies found that happy mood decreased self-focus relative to sad mood. Other studies did not detect a significant difference between happy and neutral mood, and still other studies found that happy mood, relative to neutral mood, increased self-focus. These investigations have potential shortcomings, such as an insufficiently powerful happy mood induction and a confound between visualization mood inductions and self-focus itself. The present experiment addressed these shortcomings by inducing mood via musical selections, equalizing the approximate potency between happy and sad moods, and using a within-participants design. Relative to neutral mood, happy mood decreased self-focused attention.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Attention*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Happiness*
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Pain Measurement
  • Research Design
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Perception
  • Students / psychology