On the relationship between positive and negative affect: Their correlation and their co-occurrence

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Affective Science
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Understanding emotional experience necessitates examining the relationship between positive and negative affect.
• Key aspects of this relationship include their correlation and co-occurrence.
• Previous research has debated whether correlation strength predicts the degree of co-occurrence (mixed emotions).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distinct relationship between the correlation of positive and negative affect and their co-occurrence.
• To determine if correlational measures accurately reflect the experience of mixed emotions.
• To clarify the implications for understanding emotional experience, particularly mixed emotions.

Main Methods:

• Two participant samples provided moment-to-moment ratings of happiness and sadness.
• Emotional responses were measured while participants viewed an evocative film and listened to music.
• Correlational analyses were conducted between positive and negative affect measures and measures of mixed emotions.

Main Results:

• Four measures of the correlation between positive and negative affect were highly related.
• The strength of correlation for mixed emotions varied significantly.
• Correlational measures showed weak relationships with mixed emotion measures, though not consistently.
• Bittersweet stimuli increased mixed emotions but did not consistently weaken positive-negative affect correlation.

Conclusions:

• The correlation between positive and negative affect and their co-occurrence are separate phenomena.
• This distinction is crucial for interpreting research on age and cultural differences in emotional experience.
• Findings provide a foundation for a more nuanced understanding of mixed emotional experiences.