The link between emotional experiences and risky decisionmaking

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the topic of emotional experiences and information processing in relation to decision-making (LeDoux, 1994; Panno, Lauriola & Figner, 2012). With a between-subjects experimental design, we investigated whether emotional regulation (ER) techniques reduced high levels of arousal, simulated by a fearful video, and then influenced risky decision-making. We also examined whether information processing and levels of arousal had a mediating effect on risky decision-making. Findings suggest that the stimuli reduced levels of positive mood but did not decrease levels of negative mood. Arousal was seen to correlate with negative mood before and after the stimuli as well as positive mood after watching the video. Analytical and intuitive processing correlated with positive mood before and after the stimuli. Analytical processing was not seen to be more evident than intuitive processing when making a risky decision, suggesting for a dual process. The mediators did not have any significant effect on the relationship between the ER techniques and risky decision-making. There was no difference between the ER techniques in relation to the mediators (arousal and analytical processing) and risky decision-making. Suggesting that the techniques could be equally effective or simply not effective at all. Gender was found to have an effect on the relationship between the ER techniques and risky decision-making, suggesting a further association with the appraisal tendency framework. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed along with limitations.