Eliciting mixed emotions: a meta-analysis comparing models, types, and measures.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Affective Science
• Social Psychology

Background:

• The concept of experiencing simultaneous, opposing emotions (mixed emotions) has been historically debated.
• Early research faced challenges in experimentally eliciting and measuring this complex emotional state.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the robustness and reliability of experimentally induced mixed emotions.
• To determine the consistency of mixed emotion elicitation across different affect models and emotion types.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis was conducted on 63 experimental studies that aimed to elicit mixed emotions.
• Studies were categorized by affect model (dimensional vs. discrete) and type of mixed emotion (e.g., happy-sad).
• Effect sizes were analyzed using a random-effects model, with moderators like measurement type and sample demographics examined.

Main Results:

• A moderate to high overall effect size (d IG+ = 0.77) was found for the elicitation of mixed emotions.
• This effect remained consistent across different affect structures and emotion types.
• Subjective measures and higher female representation in samples were associated with larger effect sizes.

Conclusions:

• Mixed emotions represent a robust, measurable, and non-artifactual psychological experience.
• The findings suggest a more versatile and flexible human affect system than previously understood.
• Future research should consider methodological nuances in studying mixed emotions.