The contagious quality of emotions : investigating the relationship between personality traits, gender and emotional contagion

Abstract

Emotional contagion is the proclivity to automatically “catch” the emotions of another individual. The purpose of this study was to investigate individual differences in susceptibility to emotional contagion. Specifically, this study a) examined gender differences in propensity for emotional contagion, and b) considered the role of HEXACO personality traits as predictors of emotional contagion. Prior research has demonstrated that there is a connection between individuals’ personality characteristics and their propensity for emotional contagion; however, no prior studies have considered the HEXACO (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to experience) model in this context. Using an anonymous online survey, data were gathered from 163 participants (mean age = 31.26, SD = 13.53). Within the sample, 77.3% were females (126) while 22.7% were males (37). Female study participants were more susceptible to emotional contagion for all five emotions under consideration. This study therefore concludes that there is a gender difference in emotional contagion; women are more susceptible to all five emotions than men. Honesty-Humility was not a significant predictor of both overall emotional contagion and the contagion of negative emotions. Additionally, Openness to Experience was not a significant predictor of positive emotions. Excluding these, all other traits were significant predictors of emotional contagion. Results of this study make a contribution to the field of research into individual differences in emotional contagion.