When we are talking to someone who is depressed it may make us feel depressed, whereas if we talk to someone who is feeling self-confident and buoyant we are likely to feel good about ourselves. This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, is identified here, and compelling evidence for its effect is offered from a variety of psychological disciplines.

1. Introduction; 2. Animal research; 3. Developmental research: A. Evidence that children catch their parents' emotions; B. Evidence that parents catch their childrens' emotions; 4. Clinical research: A. Therapists' reaction to clients: i. Clinicians assessment of clients' emotional states: Conscious judgments versus emotional contagion; ii. Do therapists' expectations subtly effect emotional contagion?; B. Psychopathic clients; C. Peoples' reactions to the anxious, depressed, or angry; 5. Social psychological research: A. Cross-cultural research: hysterical contagion; B. Experimental social psychological research; 6. Historical research: A. The dancing manias of the Middle-Ages; B. The great fear of 1789; C. The New York City riots of 1863; D. Man's inhumanity to man; 6. Summing up.

"...the potential of Emotional Contagion to exert a positive and long-lasting influence on research and theory in emotional interaction is immense...an important and useful book." Joseph N. Cappella, Contemporary Psychology"...this book clearly explores its topic and presents a compelling case for its thesis, all in readable prose that is laced with interesting examples." Cognition and Emotion