Mood dependence of perceived criticism: A significant null finding

College students (N=150) provided data on mood and PCM before and after the induction of either a positive or negative mood. Although the mood induction was highly successful, PCM-ratings remained stable and appeared unaffected by changes in mood. This finding contradicts the robust mood-congruency-effect finding that the valence of one's mood enhances the recollection of similarly valenced memories. This apparent stability bolsters the PCM's construct validity and makes it less likely that high PCM-ratings simply reflect the negatively biased perceptions of distressed individuals.