definition affect vs mood
In psychology , affect is used to describe mood, especially a change in mood. However, while affect may describe mood, the two are completely different in meaning. Mood is a state of feeling (emotional), usually temporary, resulting from a specific stimulus. The word is derived from an ancient English word âmodâ which meant courage especially during war times.
Mood, similar to emotion, is a state of affect. Mood doesnât necessarily have to have a specific stimuli or cause but rather it is as a result of a more diffused and unfocused occurrence. Emotion, however, has a clear cause. Affect also describes the state of feeling or experience of emotion.