[Emotional and motivational influences in an affiliation conflict situation]

The present study investigated the influence of induced mood (happy vs. sad) and the affiliation motive (hope of affiliation vs. fear of rejection) on cognitions and physiological reactions during the presentation of a social scenario. This scenario depicted the temporal approach to and finally the unexpected termination of a social interaction. Happy and sad moods were induced successfully, as indicated by self-report measures and physiological variables. Participants high in fear of rejection were more anxious and tensed immediately before the desired social interaction. In addition, they showed a higher level of physiological arousal. The unexpected termination of the social interaction at the end of the scenario had a strong negative effect on participants high in fear of rejection if they were in a happy mood. Thus, in this case an incongruence between the dominant motive and the actual emotional state led to emotional impairment. The results are discussed on the basis of motivational conflict theory and of learned helplessness.