Differential relation of two distinct, film-induced positive emotional states to affiliative and agentic extraversion

Extraversion is comprised of two major components, referred to as agency and affiliation, which are characterized by two different types of positive emotional states of incentive motivation–positive activation and warmth–affection, respectively (Depue & Collins, 1999). In response to the lack of film material targeting these different positive emotional states, a set of films was previously developed that significantly induces a state of incentive motivation–positive activation (Morrone, Depue, Scherer, & White, 2000). In the present study, due to a paucity of methods that specifically induce warmth and affection, dynamic film material was developed that activates such subjective experience. Affiliative film-induced increases in warmth and affection ratings were significantly related to a trait measure of affiliative extraversion [Tellegenʹs MPQ Social Closeness scale (r=0.39, P<0.001)] but not to agentic and other primary scales of extraversion (MPQ Social Potency, Well-Being, Achievement). Moreover, incentive film-induced increases in incentive motivation-positive activation ratings were significantly related to a trait measure of agentic extraversion [MPQ Social Potency scale (r=0.37, P<0.001)] but not to the three other primary extraversion scales. These findings demonstrate that the affiliative component of extraversion related strongly and specifically to the warmth and affection generated by the affiliative film, whereas the agentic component of extraversion related strongly and specifically to the incentive motivation–positive activation generated by the agentic film. The results complement our previous work (Morrone et al., 2000), and provide a method for investigating the incentive motivation–positive activation and warmth–affection nature of positive emotion and extraversion. Furthermore, the findings support a two-trait conceptualization of extraversion based on two distinct emotional–motivational systems of incentive motivation and affiliative reward (Depue & Collins, 1999; Depue & Morrone-Strupinsky, Behavioural and Brain Sciences, in press].