Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2007):

Be better or be merry: how mood affects self-control.

Full Abstract

In 6 studies, the authors tested whether the effect of mood on self-control success depends on a person's accessible goal. We propose that positive mood signals a person to adopt an accessible goal, whereas negative mood signals a person to reject an accessible goal; therefore, if a self-improvement goal is accessible, happy (vs. neutral or unhappy) people perform better on self-control tasks that further that goal. Conversely, if a mood management goal is accessible, happy people abstain from self-control tasks because the tasks are incompatible with this goal. This pattern receives consistent support across several self-control tasks, including donating to charity, demonstrating physical endurance, seeking negative feedback, and completing tests.

Author information

Author/s: Fishbach, Ayelet (A); Labroo, Aparna A (AA);

Affiliation: Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. ayelet.fishbach(-atsign-)chicagogsb.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Aug; vol 93 (issue 2) : pp 158-73

Dates: Created 2007/07/24; Completed 2007/10/01;

PMID: 17645393, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Affect Female Goals Humans

Humans Male Questionnaires Self Efficacy Social Control, Informal

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