Problem perception, optimism, and related states as a function of time of day (diurnal rhythm) and moderate exercise: Two arousal systems in interaction

Two experiments are described in which perceptions of personal problems, optimism, and associated feelings were studied as a function of time of day and moderate exercise (walking). Over multiweek periods, participants completed self-ratings at fixed times of day representing high and low periods of energetic arousal. While ratings on individual days varied, means across all rating days indicated that problems were perceived as more serious at mid-to late afternoon, a period of low energetic arousal, than they were at late morning and after the walk, periods of high energetic arousal. Separate analyses of rated high energy and low tension states, compared to their opposites, indicated that problems were perceived as least serious in the former states. Ratings of optimism and associated feelings were consistent with the problem ratings. Also discussed are theoretical implications regarding moods as predispositional variables, state-dependent memory, and research involving naturalistic settings and aggregated measurements.

[1]  R. Thayer,et al.  Activation states as assessed by verbal report and four psychophysiological variables. , 1970, Psychophysiology.

[2]  S. Arieti,et al.  Severe and mild depression , 1978 .

[3]  R. Thayer.  Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List: Current Overview and Structural Analysis , 1986 .

[4]  G. Bower.  Mood and memory. , 1981, The American psychologist.

[5]  C. Carver,et al.  Control theory: a useful conceptual framework for personality-social, clinical, and health psychology. , 1982, Psychological bulletin.

[6]  C. Tart,et al.  States of Consciousness , 1975 .

[7]  L. Berkowitz,et al.  External validity is more than skin deep: Some answers to criticisms of laboratory experiments. , 1982 .

[8]  Seymour Epstein,et al.  The stability of behavior: II. Implications for psychological research. , 1980 .

[9]  G. Ryle,et al.  心的概念 = The concept of mind , 1962 .

[10]  L. A. McArthur.  The how and what of why: Some determinants and consequences of causal attribution. , 1972 .

[11]  R B MALMO,et al.  Activation: a neuropsychological dimension. , 1959, Rassegna giuliana di medicina.

[12]  R. Thayer,et al.  Measurement of Activation through Self-Report , 1967, Psychological reports.

[13]  R. Thayer,et al.  Energy, tiredness, and tension effects of a sugar snack versus moderate exercise. , 1987, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[14]  R. Thayer,et al.  Factor Analytic and Reliability Studies on the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List , 1978, Psychological reports.

[15]  D. Chute,et al.  Drug discrimination and state dependent learning , 1978 .

[16]  S. Arieti,et al.  Severe and mild depression, New York (Basic Books) 1978. , 1978 .

[17]  W. P. Colquhoun,et al.  Biological Rhythms and Human Performance , 1971 .

[18]  Elizabeth Duffy,et al.  Activation and behavior , 1962 .

[19]  R. Thayer.  Toward a psychological theory of multidimensional activation (arousal) , 1978 .

[20]  J. P. Rushton,et al.  Behavioral Development and Construct Validity: The Principle of Aggregation , 1983 .

[21]  Sandra J. Milberg,et al.  Arousal cues arousal-related material in memory: implications for understanding effects of mood on memory , 1983 .