Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Development of a Chinese measure on twelve basic emotions and a preliminary test on a two-dimensional model on emotions-job outcome relationship

  • Published:
Asia Pacific Journal of Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The role of emotions in the workplace is getting more research attention in the past two decades. This is also true for research in the Chinese context recently. In this study, we attempt to develop a more comprehensive measurement scale for Chinese respondents, state-trait discrete emotions scale (STDES), to facilitate future research in the Chinese context. On top of scale development, with reference to the discrete emotions perspective and the exit, voice, loyalty and neglect (EVLN) classification of employee job outcomes, we propose a model with two dimensions for both discrete emotions and job outcomes: constructive versus destructive and active versus passive to further validate the scale. Empirically, we use a four-stage six-sample design to develop STDES and preliminarily test the two-dimensional model. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allred, K. G., Mallozzi, J. S., Matsui, F., & Raia, C. P. 1997. The influence of anger and compassion on negotiation performance. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 70(3): 175–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E., & Humphrey, R. H. 1995. Emotion in the workplace: A reappraisal. Human Relations, 48(2): 97–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashkanasy, N., & Dorris, A. 2017. Emotions in the workplace. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4(1): 67–84.

  • Ashton-James, C. E., & Ashkanasy, N. M. 2008. Affective events theory: A strategic perspective. In W. J. Zerbe, C. E. J. Härtel, & N. M. Ashkanasy (Eds.). Emotions, ethics and decision-making: Research on emotion in organizations, 4: 1–34. Bingley: Emerald Group.

  • Barsade, S. G., & Gibson, D. E. 2007. Why does affect matter in organizations?. Academy of Management Perspectives, 21(1): 36–59.

  • Bechara, A., Damasio, H., & Damasio, A. 2000. Emotion, decision making and the orbitofrontal cortex. Cerebral Cortex, 10(3): 295–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, R. J., & Robinson, S. L. 2000. Development of a measure of workplace deviance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(3): 349360.

  • Bower, G. H. 1991. Mood congruity of social judgments. In J. P. Forgas (Ed.). Emotion and social judgments: International series in experimental social psychology (pp. 31–53). Elmsford: Pergamon.

  • Brenner, M. 1988. House of dreams: The Bingham family of Louisville. New York: Random House.

  • Brief, A. P., & Weiss, H. M. 2002. Organizational behavior: Affect in the workplace. Annual Review of Psychology, 53(1): 279–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briner, R. B., & Kiefer, T. 2005. Psychological research into the experience of emotion at work: Definitely older, but are we any wiser?. In N. M. Ashkanasy, W. J. Zerbe, & C. E. J. Härtel (Eds.). The effect of affect in organizational settings: Research on emotion in organizations, 1: 281–307. Bingley: Emerald Group.

  • Burrough, B., & Helyar, J. 1990. Barbarians at the gate: The fall of RJR Nabisco. New York: Harper & Row.

  • Cadotte, E. R., Woodruff, R. B., & Jenkins, R. L. 1987. Expectations and norms in models of consumer satisfaction. Journal of Marketing Research, 24(3): 305–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannon, W. B. 1915. Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear, and rage: An account of recent researches into the function of emotional excitement. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

  • Cannon, W. B. 1929. Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear, and rage. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

  • Carver, C. S. 2001. Affect and the functional bases of behavior: On the dimensional structure of affective experience. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5(4): 345–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clore, G. L., Schwarz, N., & Conway, M. 1994. Affective causes and consequences of social information processing. In R. S. J. Wyer, & T. K. Srull (Eds.). Handbook of social cognition, 2nd ed.: 323–417. Hillsdale: Erlbaum.

  • Cohen-Charash, Y. 2000. Envy at work: A preliminary examination of antecedents and outcomes. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of California, Berkeley.

  • Cole, P. M., Bruschi, C. J., & Tamang, B. L. 2002. Cultural differences in children’s emotional reactions to difficult situations. Child development, 73(3): 983–996.

  • Conway, N., & Briner, R. B. 2005. Understanding psychological contracts at work: A critical evaluation of theory and research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  • Cosmides, L., & Tooby, J. 2000. Evolutionary psychology and the emotions. In M. Lewis, & J. Haviland Jones (Eds.). Handbook of emotions, 2nd ed.: 91–115. New York: Guilford.

  • Cropanzano, R., Weiss, H. M., Hale, J. M. S., & Reb, J. 2003. The structure of affect: Reconsidering the relationship between positive and negative affectivity. Journal of Management, 29(6): 831–857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalal, R. S., Lam, H., Weiss, H. M., Welch, E., & Hulin, C. L. 2009. A within-person approach to work behavior and performance: Concurrent and lagged citizenship-counter productivity associations, and dynamic relationships with affect and overall job performance. Academy of Management Journal, 52(2): 1051–1066.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P. 1999. Basic emotions. In T. Dalgleish, & M. Power (Eds.). Handbook of cognition and emotion: 45–60. Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.

  • Ellsworth, P. C., & Smith, C. A. 1988. Shades of joy: Patterns of appraisal differentiating pleasant emotions. Cognition and Emotion, 2(4): 301–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrell, D. 1983. Exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect as responses to job dissatisfaction: A multidimensional scaling study. Academy of Management Journal, 26(4): 596–607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell, D., & Rusbult, C. E. 1985. Understanding the retention function: A model of the causes of exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect behaviors. Personnel Administrator, 30(4): 129–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, C. D. 2000. Mood and emotions while working: missing pieces of job satisfaction?. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 21(2): 185–202.

  • Forgas, J. P. 1992. Affect in social judgments and decisions: A multi-process model. In M. Zanna (Ed.). Advances in experimental social psychology: 227–275. San Diego: Academic.

  • Fredrickson, B. L. 2000. Cultivating positive emotions to optimize health and well-being. Prevention and Treatment, 3(1): 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L. 2001. The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3): 218–226.

  • Fridlund, A. J. 1994. Human facial expression: An evolutionary view. San Diego: Academic.

  • Frijda, N. H. 1986. The emotions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  • Frijda, N. H., Kuipers, P., & Schure, E. 1989. Relations among emotion, appraisal, and emotional action readiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(2): 212–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, J. M. 1991. State or trait: Effects of positive mood on prosocial behaviors at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76(2): 299–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, J. M., & Brief, A. P. 1992. Feeling good-doing good: A conceptual analysis of the mood at work-organizational spontaneity relationship. Psychological Bulletin, 112(2): 310–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, J. M., & Jones, G. R. 1996. The experience of work and turnover intentions: Interactive effects of value attainment, job satisfaction, and positive mood. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(3): 318–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gooty, J., Gavin, M., & Ashkanasy, N. M. 2009. Emotions research in OB: The challenges that lie ahead. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30(6): 833–838.

  • Gross, J. J. 2015. Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(1): 1–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J., & Jazaieri, H. 2014. Emotion, emotion regulation, and psychopathology: An affective science perspective. Clinical Psychological Science, 2(4): 387–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, D., & Matsuba, M. K. 2007. The development of pride and moral life. In J. L. Tracy, R. W. Robins, & J. P. Tangney (Eds.). The self-conscious emotions: Theory and research: 114–133. New York: Guilford.

  • Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J. T., & Rapson, R. L. 1993. Emotional contagion. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(3): 96–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschman, A. O. 1970. Exit, voice and loyalty: Responses to decline in firms, organizations and states. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

  • Howell, S. 1981. Rules not words. In P. Heelas, & A. Lock (Eds.). Indigenous psychologies: The anthropology of the self: 133–143. San Diego: Academic.

  • Ilies, R., Peng, A. C., Savani, K., & Dimotakis, N. 2013. Guilty and helpful: An emotion-based reparatory model of voluntary work behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(6): 1051–1059.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson, R. D., Olekalns, M., & Erwin, P. J. 1998. Affectivity, organizational stressors, and absenteeism: A causal model of burnout and its consequences. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 52(1): 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E. 1971. The face of emotion. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

  • Izard, C. E. 1991. The psychology of emotions. New York: Plenum Press.

  • Izard, C. E. 1992. Basic emotions, relations among emotions, and emotion-cognition relations. Psychological Review, 99(3): 561–565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E. 1997. Emotions and facial expressions: A perspective from differential emotions theory. In J. A. Russell, & J. M. Fernandez-Dols (Eds.). The psychology of facial expressions: 57–77. Paris: Cambridge University Press.

  • Izard, C. E. 2007. Basic emotions, natural kinds, emotion schemas, and a new paradigm. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(3): 260–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E. 2009. Emotion theory and research: highlights, unanswered questions, and emerging issues. Annual Review Psychology, 60: 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E., Ackerman, B. P., Schoff, K. M., & Fine, S. 2000. Self-organization of discrete emotions, emotion patterns, and emotion-cognition relations. In M. Lewis, & I. Granic (Eds.). Emotion, development, and self-organization: Dynamic systems approaches to emotional development: 15–36. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Keltner, D., & Ekman, P. 2000. Facial expression of emotion. In M. Lewis, & J. Haviland-Jones (Eds.). Handbook emotions, 2nd ed.: 236–249. New York: Guilford.

  • Ketelaar, T., & Tung Au, W. 2003. The effects of feelings of guilt on the behavior of uncooperative individuals in repeated social bargaining games: An affect-as-information interpretation of the role of emotion in social interaction. Cognition & Emotion, 17(3): 429–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kruskal, J. B. 1964. Multidimensional scaling by optimizing goodness of fit to a nonnumeric hypothesis. Psychometrika, 29(29): 1–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laux, L., & Weber, H. 1991. Presentations of self in coping with anger and anxiety. An Intentional Approach Anxiety Research, 3(4): 233–255.

  • Law, K. S., Wong, C. S., & Mobley, W. H. 1998. Toward taxonomy of multidimensional constructs. Academy of Management Review, 23(4): 741–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S. 1991. Emotion and adaptation. New York: Oxford University Press.

  • Lazarus, R. S., & Cohen-Charash, Y. 2001. Discrete emotions in organizational life. In R. L. Payne, & G. L. Cooper (Eds.). Emotions at work: Theory, research and applications for management: 45–81. Chichester: Wiley.

  • Lee, K., & Allen, N. J. 2002. Organizational citizenship behavior and workplace deviance: The role of affect and cognitions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(1): 131–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, J. S., & Keltner, D. 2000. Beyond valence: Toward a model of emotion-specific influences on judgment and choice. Cognition & Emotion, 14(4): 473–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, R. W. 1994. Human emotions: A functional view. In P. Ekman, & R. Davidson (Eds.). The nature of emotion: Fundamental questions: 123–126. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, E. L., Xu, X., Yang, L. Q., Ispas, D., Pitariu, H. D., Bian, R., Ding, D., Capotescu, R., Che, H. S., & Musat, S. 2011. Cross-national explorations of the impact of affect at work using the state-trait emotion measure (STEM): A coordinated series of studies in the United States, China and Romania. Human Performance, 24(5): 405–442.

  • Lewis, M. 1993. Self-conscious emotions: Embarrassment, pride, shame, and guilt. In M. Lewis, & J. M. Haviland (Eds.). Handbook of emotions: 563–573. New York: Guilford.

  • Li, Y. 2011. Emotions and new venture judgment in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 28(2): 277–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., & Ahlstrom, D. 2016. Emotional stability: A new construct and its implications for individual behavior in organizations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 33(1): 1–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindebaum, D., & Jordan, P. J. 2012. Positive emotions, negative emotions, or utility of discrete emotions?. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 33(7): 1027–1030.

  • Louis, M. R. 1980. Surprise and sense making: What newcomers experience in entering unfamiliar organizational settings. Administrative Science Quarterly: 226–251.

  • Matheny, J. A., & Smollan, R. K. 2005. Taking change to heart: Exploring emotions experienced through change events. In N. M. Ashkanasy, W. J. Zerbe, & C. E. J. Härtel (Eds.). Research on emotions in organizations: The effect of organizational settings: 173–210. Oxford: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. P., Allen, N. J., & Smith, C. A. 1993. Commitment to organizations and occupations: Extensions and test of a three-component conceptualization. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78(4): 538–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikula, G., Scherer, K. R., & Athenstaedt, U. 1998. The role of injustice in the elicitation of differential emotional reactions. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 24(7): 769–783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. W., & Keltner, D. 2000. How emotions work: The social functions of emotional expression in negotiations. Research in organizational behavior, 22: 1–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesse, R. M. 1990. Evolutionary explanations of emotions. Human Nature, 1(3): 261–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oatley, K., & Jenkins, J. M. 1996. Understanding emotions. Cambridge: Blackwell.

  • Olatunji, B. O., Haidt, J., McKay, D., & David, B. 2008. Core, animal reminder, and contamination disgust: Three kinds of disgust with distinct personality, behavioral, physiological, and clinical correlates. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(5): 1243–1259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, J. A., & Härtel, C. E. J. 2002. An integrated affective and cognitive model to explain employees’ responses to downsizing. In N. M. Ashkanasy, W. F. Zerbe, & C. E. J. Härtel (Eds.). Managing emotions in the workplace: 25–44. Armonk: M. E. Sharpe.

  • Pekrun, R., & Frese, M. 1992. Emotions in work and achievement. In C. L. Cooper, & I. T. Robertson (Eds.). International review of industrial and organizational psychology: 153–200. Chichester: Wiley.

  • Peng, K. Z. 2017. Responding to emotions in China: Gender differences and the emotion-job outcome relationship. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 34(2): 443–460.

  • Peng, K. Z., Wong, C. S., & Song, L. J. 2016. How do Chinese employees react to psychological contract violation?. Journal of World Business, 51(5): 815–825.

  • Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. 1984. Causal explanations as a risk factor for depression: Theory and evidence. Psychological Review, 91(3): 347–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plutchik, R. 1980. A general psychoevolutionary theory of emotion. In R. Plutchik, & H. Kellerman (Eds.). Emotion: Theory, research, and experience: 3–33. New York: Academic.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Price, L. L., & Mueller, C. W. 1981. Professional turnover: The case of nurses. New York: Spectrum.

  • Rawls, J. 1971. A theory of justice. Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

  • Robbins, T. L., & DeNisi, A. S. 1998. Mood vs. interpersonal affect: Identifying process and rating distortions in performance appraisal. Journal of business and psychology, 12(3): 313–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusbult, C. E., Farrell, D., Rogers, G., & Mainous, A. G., III. 1988. Impact of exchange variables on exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect: An integrative model of responses to declining job satisfaction. Academy of Management Journal, 31(3): 599–627.

  • Rusbult, C. E., Zembrodt, I. M., & Gunn, L. K. 1982. Exit, voice, loyalty and neglect: Response to dissatisfaction in romantic involvements. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 43(6): 1230–1242.

  • Russell, J. A. 1980. A circumplex model of affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(6): 1161–1178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, L., & Macky, K. 1998. Downsizing organisations: Uses, outcomes and strategies. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 36(2): 29–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, R. C. 1990. A passion for justice. Reading: Addison-Wesley.

  • Spielberger, C. D. 1979. Preliminary manual for the state-trait personality inventory (STPI). Unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa.

  • Spielberger, C. D. 1983. Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists.

  • Spielberger, C. D., & Barratt, E. S. 1972. Anxiety: Current trends in theory and research. New York: Academic.

  • Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. 1983. Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (Form Y). Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists.

  • Spielman, P. M. 1971. Envy and jealousy: An attempt at clarification. Psychoanalytical Quarterly, 40(1): 59–82.

  • Stanley, B. O., & Burrows, G. D. 2001. Varieties and functions of human emotion. In R. L. Payne, & G. L. Cooper (Eds.). Emotions at work: Theory, research and applications for management: 45–81. Chichester: Wiley.

  • Tangney, J. P. 1996. Conceptual and methodological issues in the assessment of shame and guilt. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34(9): 741–754.

  • Tangney, J. P., Miller, R. S., Flicker, L., & Barlow, D. H. 1996. Are shame, guilt and embarrassment distinctemotions?. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(6): 1256–1269.

  • Thompson, E. R. 2007. Development and validation of an internationally reliable short-form of the positive affectivity and negative affectivity schedule (PANAS). Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 38(2): 227–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todor, W. D. 1980. A movement paradox: Turnover? Transfer?. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of Academy of Management, Detroit.

  • Tooby, J., & Cosmides, L. 1990. The past explains the present: Emotional adaptations and the structure of ancestral environments. Ethology and Sociobiology, 11(4): 375–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tracy, J. L., & Robins, R. W. 2007. The psychological structure of pride: A tale of two facets. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(3): 506–525.

  • Wallbott, H. G., & Scherer, K. R. 1995. Cultural determinants in experiencing shame and guilt. In J. P. Tangney, & K. W. Fischer (Eds.). Self-conscious emotions: The psychology of shame, guilt, embarrassment, and pride: 466–488. New York: Guilford.

  • Watson, D. 2000. Mood and temperament. New York: Guilford.

  • Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. 1988. Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6): 1063–1070.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, H. M. 2002. Introductory comments: Antecedents of emotional experiences at work. Motivation and Emotion, 26(1): 1–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, H. M., & Cropanzano, R. 1996. Affective events theory: A theoretical discussion of the structure, causes and consequences of affective experiences at work. In B. M. Staw, & L. L. Cummings (Eds.). Research in organizational behavior: An annual series of analytical essays and critical reviews: 1–74. Greenwich: JAI.

  • Williams, L. J., & Anderson, S. E. 1991. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment as predictors of organizational citizenship and in-role behaviors. Journal of Management, 17(3): 601–617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winterich, K. P., Mittal, V., & Morales, A. C. 2014. Protect thyself: How affective self-protection increases self-interested, unethical behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 125(2): 151–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Withey, M. J., & Cooper, W. H. 1989. Predicting exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect. Administrative Science Quarterly, 34(4): 521–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian Shi, China

    Yong Wang

  2. Department of Business Administration, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, 10 WaiTsui Crescent, Braemar Hill Road, North Point, Hong Kong, China

    Kelly Z. Peng

  3. Department of Human Resource Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing Shi, China

    Yina Mao

  4. Department of Management, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Junbang Lan

Authors
  1. Yong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kelly Z. Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yina Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Junbang Lan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelly Z. Peng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, Y., Peng, K.Z., Mao, Y. et al. Development of a Chinese measure on twelve basic emotions and a preliminary test on a two-dimensional model on emotions-job outcome relationship. Asia Pac J Manag 35, 529–564 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-017-9533-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-017-9533-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation