Emotional contagion is the spreading of emotions or moods from one person to another. It happens with pleasant as well as unpleasant moods. Some people are more contagious than others.
Josh Freedman, for example, is a powerful agent of emotional contagion. The emotions he transmits always seem to be pleasant and high-energy. On the ‘mood meter’ these would be the emotions of happiness, joy, and excitement. On one or two occasions he has been less exuberant but that typically does not last long. Josh’s positive, infectious moods results in me feeling ready to assist and help. They promote cooperation. People in general seem to gravitate towards powerful emotional people, but they also appear to thrive when the emotions are strong and positive. I wonder in what way Josh’s emotional contagion has resulted in the building of a cohesive community?
July 18th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Your comments on Josh are very true David. His positivity is really uplifting. I have noticed too that in meeting, even serious ones, it can take just one person’s good mood to change the moods of many people. By our own willingness (and confidence!) to be cheerful we can give others permission to be a bit more positive too.
I have recently become a fan of Twitter and have a little community conversation going on there all day. It has really become an important part of my day exchanging things of interest or humour. I hope that the 6 Seconds community is part of Josh’s wellbeing. Because he is certainly part of mine.