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- 3.1: Prelude to Social Affect
- 3.2: Moods and Emotions in Our Social Lives
- Although affect can be harmful if it is unregulated or unchecked, our moods and emotions normally help us function efficiently and in a way that increases our chances of survival. The experience of disgust helps us stay healthy by helping us avoid situations that are likely to carry disease (Oaten, Stevenson, & Case, 2009), and the experience of embarrassment helps us respond appropriately to situations in which we may have violated social norms.
- 3.3: Emotions, Stress, and Well-Being
- People generally feel positive, both about themselves and about the other people around them. In fact, people in almost all nations, both men and women, and people of all ages report that they are satisfied—at least above the neutral point—on ratings of well-being. Nevertheless, there many social situations that can create negative feelings, and this negative affect can have a variety of negative outcomes on people’s experiences.
- 3.4: Thinking Like a Social Psychologist About Social Affect
- 3.5: Chapter Summary
- 3.6: How to Feel Better- Coping With Negative Emotions
