Asymmetric Anticipatory Emotions and Economic Preferences: Dread, Savoring, Risk, and Time

Chris Dawson1, Samuel G B Johnson1,2,3

  • 1School of Management, University of Bath.

Cognitive Science
|January 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Anticipating future losses causes more distress than anticipating equal gains, leading to increased risk aversion and impatience. This emotional asymmetry impacts financial decision-making.

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