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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
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Brain Imaging Investigation of the Impairing Effect of Emotion on Cognition
Published on: February 1, 2012
Selective attention determines emotional responses to novel visual stimuli
Jane E Raymond1, Mark J Fenske, Nader T Tavassoli
1University of Wales, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom. j.raymond@bangor.ac.uk
Psychological Science
|November 25, 2003
Summary
Attention influences emotional responses. Previously ignored visual stimuli are perceived more negatively than attended or novel stimuli, challenging the "any exposure is good exposure" marketing idea.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Affective Science
Background:
- Distinct brain systems govern attention and emotion, yet their interaction is complex.
- Emotional stimuli are known to modulate attention, but the reverse is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether attention influences emotional behavior.
- To determine if attentional state affects the emotional evaluation of visual stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Participants processed complex visual patterns under conditions of attending or ignoring.
- Emotional tone (cheery/dreary) of patterns was evaluated after initial processing.
Main Results:
- Previously ignored visual patterns were evaluated more negatively than attended or novel patterns.
- This emotional devaluation of ignored stimuli was consistent across different contexts and response scales.
Conclusions:
- Attention significantly modulates emotional evaluation, with ignored stimuli eliciting negative affect.
- This finding suggests a novel role for attention in shaping emotional responses and has implications for marketing strategies.
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