What’s the difference between Mood, Affect and Emotion?

Affect
An Affect is a term that encompasses a broad range of feelings that people can experience. It
embodies both emotions and moods.
Affect refers to the observable expression of emotion, typically through facial expressions,
gestures, or tone of voice. It is more immediate and reactive than mood, often changing
rapidly in response to stimuli. Affect can be described as either positive (e.g., smiling,
laughing) or negative (e.g., frowning, crying). Affect is more specific and immediate than
mood, focusing on the observable expression of emotion. It can range from subtle shifts in
facial expression or body language to more pronounced displays of emotion.
Affect plays a crucial role in interpersonal communication and social interaction, as it
provides cues about a person's emotional state and intentions. Individuals can regulate their
affect through various means, such as cognitive reappraisal or expressive suppression, to
manage their social interactions and emotional experiences.

Emotion
An Emotion is an intense feeling that is short-term and is typically directed at a source.
Emotions can often have indicative facial expressions and body language as well. Emotions
have the ability to turn into a mood state when unattended to. If a precipitating event is
ignored or lost focus of, the emotion of said event could transform into a new mood state.
Also, moods can effect a person’s emotion and emotional intensity of new situations that
follow as well. Emotions and moods influence one another.
Emotions are brief, intense psychological states that are usually triggered by specific events
or experiences. They involve physiological arousal, subjective feelings, and behavioural
expressions. Emotions typically last for seconds to minutes, though they can influence mood
and affect over time.
Emotions are intense, focused responses to particular stimuli or situations. They are
characterized by specific feelings (e.g., joy, anger, fear) and are typically accompanied by
physiological changes (e.g., increased heart rate, sweating) and behavioural reactions (e.g.,
running away, embracing someone).
Emotions serve adaptive functions by signalling important information about one's internal
state and external environment. They prompt individuals to take action, such as approaching
rewarding stimuli or avoiding threats, and play a central role in decision-making and behavior
regulation. Emotions can be regulated through various strategies, including cognitive
strategies (e.g., distraction, reframing) and behavioural strategies (e.g., seeking social
support, engaging in physical activity).
Mood
A Mood is a state of mind that tends to be less intense than an emotion, and does not
necessarily need a contextual stimulus. Moods last longer than emotions, from hours to days.
Moods are broad, generalized feelings that encompass a range of emotions and can influence
perception, cognition, and behaviour over an extended period. They are often described in
terms such as happy, sad, irritable, or anxious.
Moods can serve as a background emotional tone that influences how individuals interpret
and respond to events in their environment. While moods are less susceptible to immediate
control than emotions, they can be influenced by various factors such as environmental
conditions, social interactions, and cognitive processes.