Positive feelings facilitate working memory and complex decision making among older adults |
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| Authors: | Stephanie M. Carpenter Daniel Västfjäll Alice M. Isen |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Decision Research , Eugene , OR , USA;2. Marketing Department , Ross School of Business, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA;3. Marketing Department , Ross School of Business, Link?ping University , Link?ping , Sweden;4. Department of Psychology and Johnson Graduate School of Management , Cornell University , Ithaca , NY , USA |
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| Abstract: | The impact of induced mild positive feelings on working memory and complex decision making among older adults (aged 63–85) was examined. Participants completed a computer administered card task in which participants could win money if they chose from “gain” decks and lose money if they chose from “loss” decks. Individuals in the positive-feeling condition chose better than neutral-feeling participants and earned more money overall. Participants in the positive-feeling condition also demonstrated improved working-memory capacity. These effects of positive-feeling induction have implications for affect theory, as well as, potentially, practical implications for people of all ages dealing with complex decisions. |
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| Keywords: | Positive affect Mood Decision making Aging Working memory |
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