Relating to moods, feelings, and attitudes; concerned with or arousing emotional responses rather than rational thought.
From Latin 'afficere' meaning to influence or act upon, through 'affectus' meaning emotion or feeling. The psychological sense developed in the 19th century as scientists began systematically studying emotions and their effects on behavior.
This word captures the subtle difference between 'affect' (to influence) and 'effect' (result) - affective responses literally affect us by changing our internal state. In psychology, affective disorders reveal how deeply emotions can reshape our entire perception of reality.
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