The Structure and Intensity of Emotional Experiences: Method and Context Convergence

Abstract

This article investigates the structure and intensity of naturally-occurring and induced affect using two different methodological paradigms, dimensionality and classification, and two different everyday contexts. The analyses revealed that the structures of feelings experienced during a lecture (naturally-occurring affect) and after exposure to TV ads (induced affect) are similar and can be described as points on a circumplex determined by Pleasantness and Arousal. Based on this circular structure, a synthesis aimed at describing the intensities of affective experiences is offered. Implications for the study of the structure of affect are discussed.