Repeated decision-making with high and low affect for monetary and social resources

This research was a continuation of studies that considered the role of affect for repeated decision-making under two different conditions while maintaining similar magnitudes of gains and losses. For the two situations the resources at risk (life versus money) are deemed to be high or low in affect. These designations are relevant because past findings have shown systematic deviation in choices on single-shot or one time gambles for resources based on levels of affect associated with the potential prize. This research revisits the original three hypotheses with modifications to the number of conditions. The manipulation provides a clearer picture about how affect may contribute to the types of risk people will take. Additionally, the research considers possible ceiling effects in self reports about pleasure and displeasure and considers behavior assessments of negative affect as participants conduct the experiment for each task via facial expression analysis.