The Effects of Affect and Inspection Duration on Decision Time and Confidence

Abstract

A variety of factors modify decision making behavior. The current study examines how affective state and inspection duration impact decision time and decision confidence in a simulated luggage screening paradigm. Participants ( N=200), from each of three “affect” groups—primed for anger, fear, or sadness— and a control group were tasked with detecting weapon targets with inspection durations of either two seconds (high time pressured inspection) or six seconds (low time pressured inspection). Results revealed a main effect for inspection duration on decision time, such that participants with more highly time-pressured inspections had longer decision latencies after the luggage image timed out. There were also main effects for inspection duration and affective condition on decision confidence, such that participants in the low time pressure group had greater decision confidence and participants in the fear group had lower decision confidence than those in the control group.