Influences of mood on academic course evaluations

Abstract

In two subsequent experiments, the influence of mood on academic course evaluation is examined. By means of facial feedback, either a positive or a negative mood was induced while students were completing a course evaluation questionnaire during lectures. Results from both studies reveal that a positive mood leads to better ratings of different dimensions of lecture quality. While in Study 1 (N=109) mood was not directly controlled, Study 2 (N=64) replicates the findings of the prior study and reveals direct influences of positive and negative mood on academic course evaluation.