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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Psychol Bull. 2014 Sep;140(5):1361–1382. doi: 10.1037/a0037563

Table 3.

Mood Outcomes in Naïve-Participant Studies

Study N Interaction Outcome
Measures
Results Hedges’s g
[95% CI]
K. Abrams et al., 2001 61 Groups 6 delivered
speeches
VAS, AAS,
Positive thoughts
inventory
Decrease anxiety: Increase
positive thoughts
0.45 [−0.08, 0.99]

Babor et al., 1983 16 Dyads performed
competitive tasks
POMS Increase elation and
friendliness
0.51 [0.01, 1.01]

Del Porto & Masur, 1984 40 Groups 4 unstructured
interaction
Structured mood
interview
Increase euphoria and
emotionality
0.75 [0.12, 1.38]

De Wit & Doty, 1994 27 Groups 2-4 unstructured
interaction
POMS Increase elation, friendliness
and positive mood
0.42 [0.04, 0.81]

Doty & De Wit, 1995a 41 Groups 3-4 unstructured
interaction
POMS Increase elation, positive
mood and friendliness.
0.51 [0.19, 0.83]

Doty & De Wit, 1995b 13 Groups 3-4 unstructured
interaction
POMS Decrease anxiety: Increase
friendliness
0.84 [0.24, 1.44]

Doty et al., 1997 25 Groups 3-4 unstructured
interaction
VAS Increased lighthearted mood 0.48 [0.08, 0.89]

Doty et al., 1994 19 Dyads unstructured
interaction
POMS NS 0.00 [−0.51, 0.51]

Fairbairn & Sayette, 2013a 720 Groups 3 unstructured
interaction
Multi-item mood
inventory
Increase positive mood:
Decrease negative mood
0.59 [0.32, 0.86]

Holdstock & De Wit, 1999 27 Groups 3-4 unstructured
interaction
POMS Increase friendliness, elation
and positive mood
0.39 [0.01, 0.77]

Kirchner et al., 2006 54 Groups 3 unstructured
interaction
Perceived social
bonding
Increase bonding 0.54 [−0.06, 1.14]

Kirkpatrick & de Wit, 2013 44 Dyads unstructured
interaction
Multi-item mood
inventory
Decrease dysphoria, increase
sociability
0.54 [0.22, 0.86]

Lindfors & Lindman, 1987 16 Groups 4 watch video
then discuss
Multi-item mood
inventory
Increase positive mood:
Decrease negative mood
0.99 [−0.15, 2.14]

Monahan & Samp, 2007 42 Dyads perform
cooperative tasks
STAI Decrease anxiety 0.62 [0.01, 1.23]

Pliner & Cappell, 1974 120 Groups 3 cooperative
task
Multi-item mood
inventory
Increase friendly and elation:
Decrease unhappy and bored.
0.77 [0.20, 1.35]

Sayette et al., 2012a 720 Groups 3 unstructured
interaction
Perceived social
bonding
Increase bonding 0.59 [0.32, 0.86]

Sher, 1985 98 Groups 3-5 unstructured
interaction
Multi-item mood
inventory
Increase Pleasure. No setting
by alcohol interaction.
0.43 [0.04, 0.83]

Smith et al., 1975a 36 Acquainted dyads
unstructured interaction
Multi-item mood
inventory
NS 0.20 [−0.28, 0.68]

Study featured factorial design in which subjects were tested both in a social setting and in isolation

a

Results drawn from same sample of participants

NS = No significant effects; AAS = Audience Anxiousness Scale; STAI = State Trait Anxiety Inventory; POMS = Profile of Mood States; VAS = Visual Analogue (mood) Scale.

In the column headed “results” we aimed to reflect all findings identified as significant by study authors. In our own effect size calculations, we adjust for the effects of nesting and average effects across all outcomes for which sufficient information was provided to inform these calculations.