Making Choices and Having Feelings! OH NO!
Decision-making is a complex process that involves a wide range of cognitive and emotional factors. While we often like to think of ourselves as rational beings who make decisions based on logic and reason, the truth is that our emotions play a much greater role in decision making than many would care to admit, and are in fact vital to the process. Emotions are a natural and integral part of human experience, and they are closely tied to our perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes. When we encounter a situation or stimulus that triggers an emotional response, our brain processes that information and generates a range of possible responses, based on our past experiences and cultural and social conditioning. These responses can include cognitive appraisals, behavioral tendencies, and physiological reactions, all of which can influence the choices we make (Lerner & Keltner, 2001).
Our emotions influence and direct choices by providing us with valuable information about our environment and our own internal states. For example, research has shown that emotions can act as signals of potential danger or reward, and can help us identify situations that require immediate attention or action (Carver & Harmon-Jones, 2009). In addition, emotions can provide us with important feedback about our own goals and values, and can help us align our decisions with those priorities (Leotti, Iyengar, & Ochsner, 2010). However, emotions can also lead us astray in decision-making, especially when they are intense or overpowering. For example, when we are experiencing strong negative emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness, we may be more likely to make impulsive or irrational decisions that are not aligned with our long-term goals or values (Loewenstein, Weber, Hsee, & Welch, 2001). Similarly, when we are experiencing positive emotions such as excitement or happiness, we may be more likely to take risks or make decisions that are overly optimistic or unrealistic (Frederickson & Branigan, 2005).
Despite these potential pitfalls, it is important to recognize that emotions can also provide valuable guidance in decision-making, and can help us make choices that are more aligned with our values and goals. Some data indicates that individuals who are able to regulate their emotions effectively are more likely to make decisions that are consistent with their long-term goals and values, and are less likely to engage in impulsive or risky behavior (Gross & Thompson, 2007). Further, emotions can help us navigate complex social situations and make decisions that are sensitive to the needs and preferences of others. Empathy and compassion are emotions that can promote prosocial behavior and encourage us to make choices that benefit others (Batson et al., 2005). Additionally, emotions such as guilt and shame can act as important social regulators, discouraging us from engaging in behavior that is harmful or unethical (Baumeister, Stillwell, & Heatherton, 1994).
Developing the tools to recognize, regulate, and respond to emotions are common themes in psychotherapy. It is not unusual to encounter individuals that struggle to name their emotions or simply believe that they are strictly rational decision-makers; for multitude reasons people tend to think that making decisions dispassionately is preferable to making decisions under the influence of emotions. However the research seems to suggest that with the appropriate relationship to our emotions we’re more likely to make choices that are in line with our values. Acknowledging and honoring emotions can be more fulfilling and ultimately healthier than attempting to think like the computer I’ve typed this blog post on.
If you would like help building a stronger relationship with your emotions we can help.
References:
Baumeister, R. F., Stillwell, A. M., & Heatherton, T. F. (1994). Guilt: An interpersonal approach
Bodenhausen, G. V., Sheppard, L. A., & Kramer, G. P. (1994). Negative affect and social judgment: the differential impact of anger and sadness. European Journal of Social Psychology, 24(1), 45-62.
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Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes' error and the future of human life. Scientific American, 271(4), 144-145.
Frijda, N. H. (1986). The emotions. Cambridge University Press.
Greene, J. D., Nystrom, L. E., Engell, A. D., Darley, J. M., & Cohen, J. D. (2004). The neural bases of cognitive conflict and control in moral judgment. Neuron, 44(2), 389-400.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Macmillan.
Lerner, J. S., & Keltner, D. (2000). Beyond valence: Toward a model of emotion-specific influences on judgment and choice. Cognition and Emotion, 14(4), 473-493.
Loewenstein, G. (2000). Emotions in economic theory and economic behavior. The American Economic Review, 90(2), 426-432.
Raghunathan, R., & Pham, M. T. (1999). All negative moods are not equal: Motivational influences of anxiety and sadness on decision making. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 79(1), 56-77.
Slovic, P., Finucane, M. L., Peters, E., & MacGregor, D. G. (2007). The affect heuristic. European Journal of Operational Research, 177(3), 1333-1352.
