title: The moderating role of specific self-efficacy in the impact of positive mood on cognitive performance.
abstract: Research concerning the impact of positive mood on cognitive performance is inconsistent. We suggest that specific self-efficacy moderates this relationship. The current study proposed that participants in a positive mood with a high level of specific self-efficacy would anticipate mood-maintaining success on a task. Hence, they would be more strongly motivated, and perform better on the task, than individuals in other moods. Conversely, participants in a positive mood with low specific self-efficacy should expect mood-threatening failure. Thus, these individuals should be less motivated and perform more poorly than individuals in other moods. The current study included 139 participants with different levels of specific self-efficacy performing a comprehension task in either a positive or negative mood or a control condition. Results confirmed our hypothesis whereby specific self-efficacy affects cognitive performance but only during a positive mood. These findings support the role of specific self-efficacy in maintaining positive mood by regulating task activity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527 Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niemiec
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527 Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lachowicz-Tabaczek
keywords: Cognitive performance; Mood; Specific self-efficacy