Lecture 6 - Emotions Flashcards
Analytical
Analysis is important in some decision-making but reliance on affect and emotion is quicker, easier and more efficient way to navigate in a complex, uncertain and sometimes dangerous world
Isen + Geva 1987
One group had bags of sweets, while the other group didn’t
When it came to Betty f, the group with sweets were less willing to bet when the risk was high
But extremely willing to bet when risk was low
Result: people who are happy are not willing to risk a lot because they don’t want to lose their sense of happiness
Isen & Means 1983
Participants were told to decide between 6 cars
Those with positive affect made the best decision (which the control group did aswell) but much quicker
Estrada et al 1997
Explored the positive affect on hypothetical decision making amongst doctors
1. One positive affect group (given a bag of sweets during task)
2. One group listened to inspirational quotes before the task
Positive affect group doctors were the quickest to accurately diagnose the given disease
Emotion vs Reasoning
Emotion can be better than reasoning in decision making because reasoning can create uncomfortable feeling about emotions (forced to think deeper)
Wilson 1993
Different participants were asked to either write down reasons for choosing favourite poster
While others were asked to write down what they liked and dislikes about each poster
Those who had to explain why they chose a particular poster were dissatisfied with choices 6 weeks later
Results: reasoning makes choices uncomfortable because wonder wherever the correct decision was made or not
Dijksterhuis & van Older (2006)
Used same poster-choice design but with 3 conditions
Respondents chose poster immediately
Respondents listed pros/cons of each poster before choosing
Respondents viewed poster, completed unrelated word-finding task, before choosing
Result: it’s good to wait before making a decision because you are unconsciously thinking about it rather than using time to logically reason
Caruso and Shafir
Asked participants to decide about seeing a movie
And asked to imagine if they were In a good, neutral or bad mood
Choice 1 = inferior comedy
Choice 2 = highly acclaimed drama
65% no attention to mood (control) chose to watch drama
56% neutral mood = comedy
65% good mood = comedy
75% bad mood = comedy
Results: when we feel good we want to stay in a good mood
Being aware of our feelings changes our choices
Thinking about mood
When peoples attention is not drawn to their mood, their choices are susceptible to mood congruence
Drawing attention to mood will cause people with positive mood to avoid potentially threatening experiences
But if they are in a negative mood, they will seek happier alternative to repair the mood
Broaden-and-build theory
Broaden momentary though-action repertoires
Widening the array of thoughts and actions that come to mind (able to see more possibilities)
Broadened mindeset carry indirect and long-term adaptive benefit (no longer limited to respond in one type of way)
Build enduring personal resources which function as reserves to be drawn on alter to manage to threats
The broaden part
Positive emotion broaden mind and expand range of bison
Allows you to see and think of more possibilities
Better able to envision future prospects and win-win situations
More apt to build lasting relationship and attract loyalty
The build part
Gain in mental resources:
Be able to attend mindfully to present and savour pleasant events
Gain in psychological resource:
More accepting of themselves and seeing life as more purposeful
Gain in social resource:
Forging deeper and more trusting relationship and feeling support from close others
Gain in physical resources:
Healthier
