Shuffer Marcos, Elisa (2025) Moody Encounters: Mixed-Methods Exploration of Collaborative Creativity, Mood and Emotional Synchrony. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Art experiences, individual creative activities, and collective gatherings are all known to support psychological wellbeing; however, their combined effects—particularly through visual media—remain understudied. This study explored the affective and interpersonal experiences of collaborative everyday creativity and whether an interactive art installation (Moody) could enhance them. Fifteen participants, divided into four small groups, engaged in two collaborative painting tasks: one control and one with Moody. A mixed-methods design integrated quantitative measures of mood, perceived emotional synchrony (PES), feelings of connection, and self-perceived creativity with qualitative data from focus group discussions analyzed through deductive thematic analysis. Quantitative results showed a significant mood improvement, moderate levels of PES and connection, and positive associations between PES and self-perceived creativity across conditions. Moody did not significantly enhance these effects. Qualitative findings revealed that shared meaning-making was central to behavioral coordination, emotional synchrony, and creativity, which unfold in situational and mutually reinforcing dynamics that lead to experiences of synchronization or disconnection. PES emerged not only as an outcome but also a mechanism of collaborative creative improvisation. Integrating these insights, the study supports the relevance of interpersonal synchronization theories for understanding collaborative creative experiences and demonstrates that visual media can afford group improvisation. More broadly, it highlights that even brief, non-professional creative encounters can foster positive affect and social connection, underscoring the potential of everyday creativity to promote wellbeing.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Cox, R.F.A. and Huijgen, B. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Talent Development and Creativity (TDC) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Nov 2025 15:07 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Nov 2025 15:07 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5996 |
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