Emotions in decision making

• Main Authors: Lee, Caitlyn Wan Hui, Choo, Michelle Wanzhen, Niam, Nadia Yi Ting
• Other Authors: Xu Hong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology::Affection and emotion
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62729
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Research in the past few decades has moved beyond the traditional idea of emotions as a hindrance to decision making. It has instead shifted its focus towards shedding light on the role of emotions, its interaction with rational deliberation and the resulting consequence on the decision making process. Therefore, this review aims to help elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the interaction between the rational and emotional processes in decision making. These mechanisms are then explored with regards to ethical and impulsive decision making - two types of decision making that have been conventionally thought of as being adversely affected by the presence of emotions. Findings across different studies and fields are reviewed and the impacts of different kinds of emotions are examined in detail. Interactive models that have been constructed by various researchers for the specific types of decision making are also discussed. Understanding these interactive processes and being aware of how they play out in daily decisions would be valuable in the formulation of strategies that would enable individuals to come to more effective decisions.