Here's what's going on. Just like any other 12-year-old I go to school. It just so happens that I go to a very special school that has asked us this year to choose one area of interest and learn about it for a year. My subject: psychology.
He dictionary says that psychology is: (lit. "study of the soul" or "study of the mind") is an academic and applied discipline which involves the scientific study of human (or animal) mental functions and behaviors. So what, exactly does that mean? Psychology is basically learning about why we think the way we do and why we do what we do. A whole lot simpler now, right?
So the first subject I've been researching has been about the difference between emotions and mood. The easiest way to differentiate them is this: moods are very non-specific (good, bad...), whereas emotions are defined and specific (anger, fear). Emotions are also caused by things. You feel scared because your brother goes and jumps out from behind a wall. Emotions are cause and effect things. Your brother surprises you (cause), you are scared (effect). Moods aren't caused by things. Moods are the after effects of emotions. For instance: you are happy about something (emotion) and AFTER the hormones that make you happy "run out" you are in a good mood.
Moods can also be changed. You can decide if you're going to be in a good mood or if you are going to be in a bad mood. Emotions, on the other hand, can't be controlled or changed. You can't decide if you are happy or if you are sad, you just are. Emotions are basically instincts, in a way. You can't stop yourself from feeling emotions.
Emotions also have a physical affect too. When you are scared, your palms sweat. When you are embarrassed, you blush. Moods don't have any other affects beside just being your mood.
Emotions can be described much better in words than moods can. Try explaining being in a good mood next time you're in one then try and describe being happy. I bet you'll find that it is easier to explain being happy than being in a good mood. Emotions are also easier to show through actions.
Those are most of the reasons that separate moods and emotions, though there are some others that you might be interested in.
