Abstract
Fear and anger are basic emotions of the same valence which differ in terms of their certainty and control dimensions according to the Appraisal Tendency Framework, a theory addressing the relationship between specific emotions, and judgments and choices. Past research based on the Appraisal Theory revealed contradictory results for risky choice decision-making. However, these conclusions were drawn from Western samples (e.g., North American). Considering potential cultural differences, the present study aims to investigate whether the Appraisal Tendency hypothesis yields the same results in a Chinese sample. Our first study explores how dispositional fear and anger influence risk preferences through a classic virtual “Asia Disease Problem” task and the second study investigates how induced fear and anger influence risk preferences through an incentive-compatible task. Consistent with previous research, our results reveal that induced fear and anger have differential effects on risky decisions: angry participants prefer the risk-seeking option, whereas fearful participants prefer a risk-averse option. However, we find no associations between dispositional fear (or anger) and risky decisions.
Highlights
In recent years, China has seen an increase in the prevalence of cynicism, cyber-bullying, and aggressive behavior in the population
The present study explored the association between dispositional emotions and risk choices in order to assess the effect of dispositional anger and fear on risk decision
This study explores whether and how fear and anger would influence risk preference based on a sample of Chinese college students
Summary
China has seen an increase in the prevalence of cynicism, cyber-bullying, and aggressive behavior in the population. The emotions of anger and fear spread through the present-day internet and social media environment, and may contribute to or cause real emergencies, intensifying the negative consequences. Since the establishment of the pioneering psychometric model by Fischhoff et al (1978), researchers have increasingly recognized the important role of emotions in risk perception (Xie et al, 2011). They have found that emotions influence people’s cognition, reflected in attention and perception of self and others, and explain and trigger memories
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