How is the personality disposition known as negative affectivity different from an affective state?
Negative affectivity is the general tendency or likelihood for a person to frequently experience negative emotions regardless of the current situation.
The distinction between state and trait is crucial when discussing this concept. A negative affective state refers to the actual experience of an unpleasant emotion at a specific moment, such as feeling sad today. Conversely, negative affectivity is a stable personality disposition. This disposition describes an underlying characteristic where an individual possesses a persistent, inherent likelihood or tendency to experience negative emotions more often or more intensely than others, independent of temporary external factors. High negative affectivity is often linked to generalized maladjustment and lower overall well-being.
