The Effect of Affect

Test taking can be one of the most anxiety provoking part of young people’s day.  There are many factors that can play into their performance and more importantly, into their perception of the performance.  Factors such as preparedness, hunger, sleep and possible learning disabilities can all play a part.  Did you know that their mood can actually have a great impact as well?

Bryan, Burstein and Ergul published their findings in Learning Disability Quarterly in 2004 stating how negative affect such as anger or depression “depresses memory and produces ineffective information processing”.  On the flip side, positive affect can do the opposite, opening up those pathways to memory and cognitive functioning as well as facilitate conflict resolution.

So how can we reap the benefits of this study?  Make students feel good before a test.  The last-minute studying that students opt to do does little to store more information.  Instead try this activity before their next test.  

The teacher will begin by telling the class one thing that they appreciate about one of their students.  That student then tells another and then that student tells another.  Do this until the whole class has heard and said something nice about their peers.  Improving mood is contagious and this 5-minute exercise may help your students’ performance as well. 

Reference

Tanis, B., Burstein, K., & Ergul, C. (2004). THE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SIDE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES: A SCIENCE-BASED PRESENTATION OF THE STATE OF THE ART. Learning Disability Quarterly, 27(1), 45-51. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.humber.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.humber.ca/docview/233087005?accountid=11530