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Evaluative decision latencies mediated by induced affective states
D Hermans1, J De Houwer, P Eelen
1Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Emotional states significantly influence how quickly people evaluate target stimuli. This study shows that induced moods, like depression or elation, affect response times to positive and negative images.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Affective Science
Background:
- Affective priming studies demonstrate response latency modulation by prime-target valence congruence.
- Existing research suggests associative links between similarly valenced information in memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if affective priming is a form of semantic priming or mediated by direct affective responses.
- To determine if induced emotional states, rather than prime valence, can mediate affective priming effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Musical Mood Induction procedure to induce emotional states (Depression/Elation).
- Participants evaluated target pictures for speed.
- Measured response latencies in relation to induced mood and target valence.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction was found between Mood Change (More Depressed/Less Depressed/No Change) and Target Valence (Positive/Negative).
- Emotional states were shown to mediate evaluation response latencies to affectively valenced stimuli.
Conclusions:
- Induced emotional states can directly influence affective priming effects on response latencies.
- Findings support a biphasic emotion theory and relate to mood congruency effects in perception.