Emotions - Part 1

Summary

This lecture on Organizational Behaviour focuses on emotions, particularly in the workplace. It explores the nature of emotions, their universality, and how they can be managed. Emotions like anger, stress, and positive emotions such as happiness are discussed, alongside their contagious effects on others. The concept of emotional labor, where individuals may need to fake emotions for professional reasons, is introduced. The lecture highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, mood congruence, and how emotions affect job performance, workplace dynamics, and the balance between work and personal life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emotions are an inherent part of human life and are expressed from birth, even before language is learned.
• 🌐 Emotions are universal across cultures, though their expressions may vary.
• 😡 Emotions such as anger and stress are particularly important to understand in a workplace context.
• 🤔 Emotions can be both positive and negative, and a mix of both is necessary for a fulfilling life experience.
• 📈 Emotional contagion can influence the mood of others in the workplace, similar to how a cold can spread.
• 💼 Managing emotions is a skill that can be developed over time and is often referred to as emotional intelligence.
• 🏆 Positive emotions can improve job performance and create a more positive outlook towards work experiences.
• 🔄 Mood congruence suggests that positive moods lead to remembering positive things and vice versa for negative moods.
• 🌀 Emotions can have a spillover effect from work to family life and vice versa, impacting overall well-being.
• 🎭 Emotional labor, especially in service jobs, may require individuals to display certain emotions, whether genuinely felt or not.
• 🤝 Emotional attachment to the workplace can lead to higher commitment and job satisfaction.

Q & A

What are emotions according to the lecture?

Emotions are expressions of our inner feelings. They are in-born and universal, though the way emotions are managed and expressed can be socially learned. Emotions are also described as our first language, evident even in infants.

How do emotions differ from moods?

Emotions are typically targeted toward specific objects or people, whereas moods are more generalized, unfocused feelings that serve as a background to daily experiences. Moods can be triggered by internal or external factors, but often exist without a specific cause.

What is emotional contagion, and how does it impact the workplace?

Emotional contagion refers to the spread of emotions from one person to another, similar to how a cold spreads. In the workplace, if a few people display negative emotions, it can influence others to feel the same. Positive emotions can also spread, fostering a more cheerful environment.

What is the significance of emotional intelligence in the workplace?

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to manage, control, and channel emotions positively. This skill involves handling emotions in a way that benefits both personal well-being and workplace relationships, such as channeling aggression or resentment constructively.

What is the difference between self-conscious emotions and social emotions?

Self-conscious emotions, such as shame and guilt, are internally targeted and stem from one's own behavior or inadequacies. Social emotions, such as pity and envy, are externally targeted and are focused on other people or external objects.

How does 'mood congruence' affect job performance?

Mood congruence refers to the tendency to remember positive things when in a positive mood and negative things when in a negative mood. A positive mood at work helps employees see situations optimistically and improves performance, while a negative mood can reinforce negative memories and outlooks.

What is emotional labor, and which professions require it?

Emotional labor involves managing and sometimes faking emotions in the workplace to meet job expectations. It is especially common in service jobs like hospitality and healthcare, where workers are often required to display positive emotions regardless of how they feel.

What is the difference between 'surface acting' and 'deep acting' in emotional labor?

Surface acting involves pretending to feel emotions that you do not genuinely experience, while deep acting involves trying to actually feel the required emotions. Surface acting can create emotional dissonance, where the emotions shown are different from what is felt internally.

How can emotions spill over between work and family life?

Emotions from work can affect one's emotions at home and vice versa. Positive emotions from work can lead to positive interactions at home, and negative emotions can lead to negative spillover. Conversely, negative emotions at home can impact work behavior, creating a cyclical effect.

What is emotional attachment in the workplace, and how does it affect employee behavior?

Emotional attachment occurs when employees feel connected to their workplace due to positive experiences and emotions. This leads to higher job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Negative emotional attachment, on the other hand, can cause employees to disengage or leave the organization.