Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Stimmung / Español: Estado de ánimo / Português: Humor / Français: Humeur / Italiano: Umore /

Mood refers to a low-intensity, long-lasting emotional state ; an enduring period of emotionality; a feeling state that is not clearly linked to some event.

Likewise, Moods are person's experience of emotion which are typically longer lasting and less intense than emotions.

Description

In psychology, "mood" refers to a prolonged and generalized emotional state that colors an individual's perception of the world and influences their behavior. Moods are typically more enduring than emotions, lasting hours, days, or even weeks. They encompass a wide range of feelings, from positive states like happiness and contentment to negative states such as sadness, anxiety, and irritability. Moods are influenced by various factors, including biological processes, psychological factors, environmental stimuli, and social interactions. They play a significant role in shaping one's overall subjective well-being and can impact cognitive functioning, motivation, and decision-making processes. Moods can fluctuate throughout the day and can be influenced by external events, internal thoughts, and physiological changes.

Application Areas

• Clinical psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Mood disorder diagnosis and treatment
• Stress management
• Occupational psychology
• Educational psychology

Treatment and Risks

• Psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy)
• Medication (for mood disorders)
• Lifestyle interventions (e.g., exercise, mindfulness)
• Risks include mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder), impaired social functioning, and decreased quality of life.

Examples

• Feeling consistently upbeat and cheerful during a period of success and achievement
• Experiencing prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness following a significant loss or disappointment
• Feeling anxious and on edge for an extended period due to chronic stress or worry
• Experiencing a sense of apathy and disinterest in usual activities during a depressive episode
• Feeling a heightened sense of irritability and frustration in response to ongoing challenges or conflicts

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Emotional state
• Affect
• Emotional disposition
• Temperament
• Emotional tone

Articles with 'Mood' in the title

• Mood disorder: Mood disorder: mood disorder refers to one of a group of disorders involving severe and enduring disturbances in emotionality ranging from elation to severe depression
• Mood Disorders: A set of Mood Disorders is a class of disorders marked by emotional disturbances that may spill over to disrupt physical, perceptual, social, and thought processes
• Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilizers refer to medications or drugs which are used to control mood swings in patients with Bipolar mood disorders.
• Mood-dependent memory effect: Mood-dependent memory effect: Mood-dependent memory effect refers to the empirical finding that people’s ability to recall information is best when their mood at the time of recall matches their mood at the time of learning
• Dysphoric mood: Dysphoric mood refers to unpleasant feelings, such as sadness or irritability.
• Euphoric mood: Euphoric mood refers to a feeling state that is more cheerful and elated than average, possibly even ecstatic. Other /More definition: Euphoric mood refers to a feeling state that is more cheerful and elated than average, possibly even . . .
• Depressed mood: Depressed mood refers to feelings of sadness, a loss of hope, a sense of being overwhelmed by the demands of the world, and general unhappiness.
• Major mood disorders: Major mood disorders: Major Mood disorders refer to types/kinds of disorders marked by lasting extremes of Mood or Emotion and sometimes accompanied by psychotic symptoms
• Mood-congruent: Mood-congruent: Mood-congruent refers to a determination th a person's emotions are normative to or in sync with the situation he/ she faces.
• Mood-congruent recall: Mood-congruent recall: Mood-congruent recall refers to the idea that positive feelings will activate positive memories and negative feelings will activate negative memories
• Normal mood (Euthymic mood): Normal mood (Euthymic mood) : Normal mood (Euthymic mood is defined as a feeling state that is neither unduly happy nor sad but shows day-to-day variations within a relatively limited range considered to be appropriate

Summary

In psychology, "mood" refers to a prolonged and generalized emotional state that influences perception, behavior, and overall well-being. Moods encompass a range of feelings and are influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors. They play a significant role in shaping cognitive processes, motivation, and social interactions. Understanding and managing moods are crucial for mental health and overall functioning.

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