What is meant by 'affect' in psychological terms?

In psychological terms, 'affect' specifically refers to the observable expression of emotions. It encompasses the outward emotional display that can be perceived by others, such as facial expressions, body language, and vocal tone. This visible demonstration of emotion allows others to gauge a person's emotional state, which can vary greatly from one moment to the next.

Understanding affect is crucial in psychological assessment and therapy because it provides a window into a person's emotional experience. It often helps clinicians determine how individuals are feeling in a particular moment, allowing for more effective interventions.

While the other options relate to aspects of emotional understanding or experience, they do not capture the specificity of 'affect' as it pertains to observable behavior. For instance, the ability to think logically does not directly connect to emotional expression, and cognitive approaches focus more on the mechanisms of thought rather than the direct display of emotions. Similarly, a subjective experience of happiness or sadness relates to internal feelings rather than the outward manifestation that 'affect' emphasizes.