Eighty-eight males and females participated in one of three affect inducing conditions which involved reading neutral, depression, or elation statements. Subjects in the depression condition, in contrast to the elation group, reported themselves to be more depressed, anxious, and hostile, were less expansive in graphic expression and less likely to prefer activities of a social and physical nature. Responses in the neutral group fell between elation and depression. Implications are suggested for a cognitive mediation theory of depression. (Author)