The Role of Incidental Emotion in Cognitive Processing : an integrative approach

Abstract

With a between-subjects experimental design, the present study examined effects of incidental emotions on cognitive processing in a subsequent decision-making task. Rather than taking a purely valence-based approach, this study investigated different aspects of emotional experience and its effects on cognitive processing. Findings suggested that aspects other than incidental valence are indeed important. As predicted, incidental arousal was negatively related to analytic processing and positively related to intuitive processing. Both perceived and physiological arousal were significant in explaining cognitive processing, whereas perceived valence was insignificant in all models. Findings also indicated a significant effect of certainty appraisals on analytic processing, but in opposite directions than predicted. A nearly significant interaction effect between physiological arousal and anticipated effort appraisals was also observed for analytic processing. Overall, findings imply that studies may benefit from going beyond valence when investigating emotion and its effects on cognitive processing. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.