Neuroticism and Extraversion Magnify Discrepancies Between Retrospective and Concurrent Affect Reports

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Affective Science
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• Research often uses retrospective affect self-reports, but the role of personality in these reports and their divergence from in-the-moment affect is unclear.
• Understanding discrepancies between retrospective and momentary affect reports is crucial for accurate emotional assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion) and emotional salience (peak and recent affect) are associated with discrepancies in retrospective versus momentary affect reports.
• To investigate these associations over different time frames (1 day and 1-2 months post-experience).

Main Methods:

• A micro-longitudinal study involving 179 adults (aged 20-78).
• Participants provided up to 60 concurrent affect reports over 10 days.
• Retrospective affect intensity was reported after 1 day and again after 1-2 months.

Main Results:

• Individuals retrospectively overreported or underreported affective states, with discrepancies varying by affect arousal.
• Peak affect associations were found for high arousal positive and negative affect; recency associations for low arousal positive affect.
• Distinct personality profiles emerged: high Extraversion/Neuroticism exaggerated high arousal affect and underreported low arousal positive affect; high Extraversion/low Neuroticism exaggerated high arousal positive affect and underreported low arousal positive affect; low Extraversion/high Neuroticism exaggerated high and low arousal negative affect.

Conclusions:

• This study identifies arousal-specific discrepancies in retrospective affect reports over time.
• Retrospective reports reflect individual differences in personality and affective self-knowledge.