Understanding emotions in the workplace

This chapter clarifies what is meant by emotions. It explains how emotions, moods and temperaments constitute significantly different forms of affect. The chapter considers the stages of emotional engagement from initial detection of the stimulus to a behavioural response. It introduces the area of positive psychology – a much neglected area for understanding the emotions in the workplace. Rather than a preoccupation with stress and ‘fixing’ negative emotions, the area of positive psychology allows designers to explore concepts such as joy, awe, delight and curiosity.