ABSTRACT
Affect is a much-neglected moderator of workload and performance. Research literature demonstrating affect’s influence on cognitive and physical tasks is summarized. In terms of cognitive performance, affect has been shown to influence memory function, decision making, problem solving, risk assessment, and performance on other cognitively loaded tasks. In terms of physical performance, affect has been shown to influence physical perceptions and interpersonal functioning, and to moderate performance on tasks that are heavily loaded for strenuous physical activity. Methodological suggestions are given regarding induction of affect in experimental studies, and assessment of affect. This paper presents the researcher in human performance, automation, and simulation with several resources: a rationale for including affect in the conceptualization of every study; a list of studies that demonstrate affect’s role in moderating cognitive and physical performance; references to theoretical models for affect, performance, and workload; references for induction of effect; references for assessment of affect.
