Analysis of Research on Caffeines Effects on Mood...

1. A) What general topic is the author addressing? The author is addressing whether caffeine can have an affect on mood dimensions of arousal versus a subject feeling pleasant. The author also addresses whether these arousals will influence memory in either of two ways. First, arousal through learning, and second through altered mood states through learning and recall (Herz,1999). B) What have other researchers already discovered about this topic? Other researchers have found that caffeine is one of the most psychoactive substances consumed (Gilbert, 1984). Several studies have showed significant findings in which caffeine can affect effects in mood including increasing rates of happiness, well being, calmness, and alertness (Zwyghuizen-Doorenbos, Roehrs, Lipschutz, Timms, Roth, 1990). It has also been shown though research that caffeine can elicit anger, anxiety, and nervousness depending on the dose given to participants. Low doses are more likely to increase feelings of happiness, and positive thoughts, while higher doses can elicit anxiety and nervousness. Alcohol has also been researched with its affect on memory. Participants whom had consumed alcohol were more likely to recall more words in a memory test rather than when they were not intoxicated. Through this research it has been argued that drugs achieve their affects on memory by the effects of a pa rticipants mood (Bower, 1981). C) How does the current study follow from previous research? What is new about