EmotionsOrganizational Behavior – Session 12

Dr. S. B. Alavi, 2009.

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Table of Contents

• What are affective states?• Basic Emotions• Facial Expressions Convey Emotions• Felt versus displayed emotions• Why study emotions in organizations?• Emotions and Rational Models• Emotions and Leadership• Emotional Intelligence

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What are affective states

• Affect– is a generic term that covers a broad range of

feelings that people experience.

• Emotions– intense feelings that are directed at

someone or something (anger, fear, sadness, happiness, disgust, surprise)

• Moods– are feeling that tend to be less intense

than emotions and which lack a contextual stimulus.

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Basic Emotions

• Anger• Happiness• Fear• Surprise• Sadness• Disgust

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Facial Expressions Convey Emotions

• Try to identify each picture, portraying a difference emotion.

• Top, left to right: neutral, surprise, happiness.

• Bottom: fear, sadness, anger

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Facial Expressions Convey Emotions

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Felt versus displayed emotions

• Felt emotions are an individual actual emotions.

• However, displayed emotions are those that are organizationally required and considered appropriate in a given job.

• Displayed emotions are not innate; they are learned.

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Emotions and Rational Models• Research has shown that people’s

emotions and moods affect their data acquisition and processing.

• Negative emotions result in a limited search for alternatives. However, positive emotions can facilitate integration of information.

• Positive mood enhances creativity, cooperation and being helpful, remembering positive information, and appreciation of others’ contributions.

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Emotions and Rational Models• Emotions are important components of

decision making processes and cannot completely be withdrawn from this process.

• Leaders are required to handle both rational and affective aspects of work problems.

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Emotions and Leadership• Effective leaders are able to express positive

feelings to help convey their messages.

• Research has shown that expression of emotions is the critical components of leaders’ speeches that influence accepting or rejecting a leader’s message.

• When leaders feel excited, enthusiastic, and active, they may be more able to energize their subordinates and convey a sense of efficacy, competence, optimism, and enjoyment.

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Emotional Intelligence

• According to Mayer and Salovey (1997):

“emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth” (p.5).

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Dimensions of emotional intelligenceSuggested by “Daniel Goleman”:• Self-awareness: being aware of what you are

feeling;

• Self-management: the ability to manage one’s own emotions and impulses;

• Self-motivation: the ability to persist in the face of setbacks and failures;

• Empathy: the ability to sense how others are feeling;

• Social skills: the ability to handle the emotions of others.

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Emotional Intelligence