define: affective
Affective vs. effective. Affective is an adjective meaning influenced by emotions or arousing emotions. It is roughly synonymous with emotional. Itâs used mainly in psychology, where affective disorders are conditions characterized by emotional problems or mood disturbances, though it does appear occasionally outside psychology. The much more common effective means (1) producing a desired effect, (2) in effect, (3) actual, and (4) impressive.