Date of Award
1-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
College/School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department/Program
Psychology
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Daniel Simonet
Committee Member
Kenneth Sumner
Committee Member
Valerie Sessa
Abstract
Building upon the literature regarding the unique effects of distinct negative emotions on decision making, the current thesis investigates the differential effects of distinct positive emotions (i.e., pride, elevation, and amusement) on giving and taking behaviors in social dilemmas. Results of a pilot and experimental studies reveal autobiographical recalls successfully elicited distinct positive emotions, but the effects were generally inconsistent or null in predicting prosocial acts. Supplementary analyses reveal a potential methodological confound, with significant findings more likely to emerge when emotions were measured after as opposed to before the targeted dilemmas. Specifically, elevation led to significantly higher levels of cooperation whereas amusement approached opposing effects in public versus resource dilemmas. Given smaller sample sizes in certain cells, we offer a cautious conclusion that positive emotions may have different effects on decision-making. Implications for future research are discussed.
File Format
Recommended Citation
O'Neill, Caitlin F., "Differential Effects of Discrete Positive Emotions on Give-Some and Take-Some Social Dilemmas" (2016). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 563.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/563