The role of emotions in complex problem-solving

Cognition and Emotion 19:1252-1261 (2005)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The assumption that positive affect leads to a better performance in simple cognitive tasks has become well established. We address the question whether positive and negative emotions differentially influence performance in complex problem-solving in the same way. Emotions were induced by positive or negative feedback in 74 participants who had to manage a computer-simulated complex problem-solving scenario. Results show that overall scenario performance is not affected, but positive and negative emotions elicit distinguishable problem-solving strategies: Participants with negative emotions are more focused on the seeking and use of information. We discuss methodological requirements for investigating emotion influences in complex and dynamic cognitive tasks.

Links

PhilArchive

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Encoding effects on complex problem solving.Roger I. Simon - 1970 - Journal of Experimental Psychology 83 (2p1):227.
The role of spatial representations in complex problem solving.Lynn A. Cooper - 1988 - In Stephen Schiffer & Susan Steele (eds.), Cognition and Representation. Westview Press. pp. 53--86.
Creativity for problem solvers.René Victor Valqui Vidal - 2009 - AI and Society 23 (3):409-432.
Role of higher order rules in problem solving.Joseph M. Scandura - 1974 - Journal of Experimental Psychology 102 (6):984.
How do emotion and motivation direct executive control?Luiz Pessoa - 2009 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 13 (4):160-166.

Analytics

Added to PP
2014-03-06

Downloads
235 (#78,692)

6 months
42 (#82,128)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Joachim Funke
University of Heidelberg

References found in this work

Towards a Cognitive Theory of Emotions.Keith Oatley & P. N. Johnson-Laird - 1987 - Cognition and Emotion 1 (1):29-50.
Emotion, cognition, and decision making.Norbert Schwarz - 2000 - Cognition and Emotion 14 (4):433-440.
Emotion-based choice.Barbara Mellers, Alan Schwartz & Ilana Ritov - 1999 - Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 128 (3):332.
Dynamic systems as tools for analysing human judgement.Joachim Funke - 2001 - Thinking and Reasoning 7 (1):69 – 89.

View all 7 references / Add more references