Cognition vs affect in measures of job satisfaction

The authors find reasons to question whether conventional measures of job satisfaction capture the original conception of 'morale'. In particular, evidence suggests that these measures reflect primarily cognitive evaluation rather than affective state or hedonic tone. Recent developments indicate that cognitive and affective systems may be somewhat independent of each other. Questions are raised concerning the appropriate means of measuring affect, as well as whether the antecedents and consequences of affect are expected to differ from those associated with cognitive appraisal.