Affective Events Theory

Affective events theory (AET) is a theory of affect (the broader term for emotional experiences, including emotion and mood) in the workplace. In addition to focusing on affect, AET encompasses cognitions, behavior, attitudes, and other crucial psychological constructs to explain job behavior and performance. The theory builds primarily on the already established cognitive appraisal models and has gathered support from many areas of study in the field of emotions to create a more encompassing theory of work behavior.

According to AET, there are two paths to job behaviors, both of which are influenced at least partially by affective reactions to events at work. However, cognitive processes play an essential role in the creation of these reactions. The theory builds on past theoretical successes while adding a ...