Velten's mood induction technique: "real" change and the effects of personality and sex on affect state.

As an analogue approach to the study of depressed and elated mood formation, numerous investigators have attempted, with varying results, to induce mood in the laboratory by using variations of Velten's (1968) statements. Inconsistent results and theoretical doubts about situational demand influences have cast doubt on the efficacy of this technique. The present authors contend that "true" induction and the demand condition aspect of the technique both produce affect change. In addition, this study replicated Velten's original paradigm while it assessed the impact of personality traits, sex of subject, and different experimenters on mood inducibility. Ninety-five subjects completed pre-measures of self-esteem, locus of control, defense styles, and depression. Results show that the Velten technique appears to work independently of personality attributes in a college sample, although subject's sex and experimenter effects may well affect response to the induction.