THE ROLE OF AFFECT IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH - Human-Computer Interaction and Management Information Systems: Foundations - page 280

Table 14.1

A Summary of General Concepts

Concepts Definition Sources

Core affect A neurophysiological state consciously accessible Russell (2003, p. 149)

as a simple, nonreflective feeling that is an integral
blend of hedonic (pleasure-displeasure) and arousal
(sleepy-activated) values.

Affective quality The ability to cause a change in core affect. Russell (2003, p. 149)

Attributed affect In an attributed affect, a change in core affect is linked Russell (2003, p. 149)

to its perceived cause. Thus, attributed affect is defined
by three necessary and, when together, sufficient
features: (a) a change in core affect; (b) an object; and
(c) attribution of the core affect to the object.

Perceived An individual's perception of an object's ability to Zhang and Li (2004)

affective quality change his or her core affect. It is a perceptual process

that estimates the affective quality of the object.

Object A person, condition, thing, or event at which a mental Russell (2003, p. 149)

state is directed.

Trait An enduring predisposition to response to stimuli Weiss (2002); Weiss

across situations. et al. (1999)

State A subjective characteristic of an experience. (Ellis, 1973)

Mood Prolonged core affect with no object (simple mood) or Frijda (1993); Russell

with a quasi-object; affective states without an object (2003, p. 149)

or without a specific object

Emotion There is little convergence on emotion's definition. Forgas (1995); Russell

Generally, it is an affective state directed toward (2003, p. 149)

a specific object or objects.

Affect An umbrella for a set of more specific mental Bagozzi et al. (1999)

processes including emotions, moods, and attitudes.

Attitude An individual's positive or negative feelings (evaluative Fishbein and Ajzen

affect) about performing the target behavior. (1975, p. 216)

Affective reaction A person's subjective perception or judgment on This research/paper

toward interacting whether interacting with the object will change his or

with an object her core affect or his or her emotion toward the object.

Cognitive reaction Cognitive reasoning, or appraisal, or weighting of the This research/paper

toward interacting implications of interacting with an object for one's

with an object well-being.

relationship. Moods, however, are affective states without any specific target object(s) and are usu-
ally viewed as “background” factors (Lazarus, 1991).

Trait and State

The distinction between trait and state is well studied in psychology, marketing and consumer
research, and organizational and social psychology. Incidentally, the last two decades have seen
an increased interest in the study of relationships between transient affective states and enduring