Positive Affective Responses Research Articles

Risk perception, affect, and information avoidance during the 2016 U.S. Presidential election

During a presidential election cycle, voters consume information to alleviate uncertainty about the candidates and the process. As a result, elections offer an interesting (and somewhat novel) context for studying risk-related information behaviors. Here we argue that individuals avoid certain information, depending on the amount of risk they perceive and to what extent they experience risk-related affect. Based on national survey data collected one month prior to the 2016 U.S. presidential election (N = 512), we found that risk perception influenced information avoidance through affective responses to the different types of risks. Specifically, financial and political risk influenced avoidance through negative affective response to risk, while policy risk influenced avoidance through both positive and negative affective response. Thus, the mediation of affective responses varies by the type of perceived risks.

Tourists’ Booking Behavior: Online Social Media Perspectives

The availability of online booking has secured valuable competitive advantages for the tourism industry: lower distribution costs, increase tourist delight, and efficiency. Despite the advantages, there has been little research into the types of online motives that drive the emotions of users and affective response to purchase tourism services online. Most literature in the tourism online booking identified factors, however the affect e-booking behaviors as well as post-purchase behavior has been understudies. This study uses two phases: Phase I explains the pre-booking emotional and intention behavior of tourists, whilst Phase II focuses on the post-booking emotional consequences of initial one. Results from a sample of 587 participants showed that online review, return policy leniency and convenience are key determinant of tourist positive affective response regarding e-booking decision, while hedonic and utilitarian motivation has moderated effects. The finding revealed that online booking intention influence tourist surprise which in turn induce tourist arousal and tourist delight. The study provides further insights relating to tourists’ e-booking decision process that can improve marketing strategies.

Age Differences in Awe Among Young, Middle-aged, and Older Adults: Extensions of Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Increases in motivation for the pursuit of emotionally meaningful goals and activities as people age (socioemotional selectivity theory; SST) necessitates the investigation of means in which these goals and activities can be realized. In the present study adults (N = 130) aged 25 to 78 (M = 53.32; SD = 15.181) watched awe-inducing (view of space) and happiness-inducing (comedian Robin Williams interacting with Koko the “talking gorilla”) videos and then completed measures associated with awe, affect, and well-being (measured via PGC Positive and Negative Affect Scales). Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to examine the effect of age (split by young, middle-aged, and older) on experiences of awe and positive affect in response to watching each video. There was a main effect of age on experiences of awe for both videos (ps < 05). Specifically, older adults experienced significantly higher levels of awe than young adults (p < .05) in response to video 1. They also experienced significantly higher levels of awe than young adults (p < .01) in response to video 2. Bivariate correlations among awe, well-being, and happiness were similar in strength and magnitude in each age group (ps < .05). Overall, consistent with Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, our findings suggest that affective reactions of awe and happiness, induced by videos, relate to well-being across age-groups. Future work should test whether the use of these awe-inducing videos can improve well-being.

Age Differences in Awe Among Young, Middle-aged, and Older Adults: Extensions of Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Increases in motivation for the pursuit of emotionally meaningful goals and activities as people age (socioemotional selectivity theory; SST) necessitates the investigation of means in which these goals and activities can be realized. In the present study adults (N = 130) aged 25 to 78 (M = 53.32; SD = 15.181) watched awe-inducing (view of space) and happiness-inducing (comedian Robin Williams interacting with Koko the “talking gorilla”) videos and then completed measures associated with awe, affect, and well-being (measured via PGC Positive and Negative Affect Scales). Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to examine the effect of age (split by young, middle-aged, and older) on experiences of awe and positive affect in response to watching each video. There was a main effect of age on experiences of awe for both videos (ps < 05). Specifically, older adults experienced significantly higher levels of awe than young adults (p < .05) in response to video 1. They also experienced significantly higher levels of awe than young adults (p < .01) in response to video 2. Bivariate correlations among awe, well-being, and happiness were similar in strength and magnitude in each age group (ps < .05). Overall, consistent with Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, our findings suggest that affective reactions of awe and happiness, induced by videos, relate to well-being across age-groups. Future work should test whether the use of these awe-inducing videos can improve well-being.

Dorsal Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis-Subcortical Output Circuits Encode Positive Bias in Pavlovian Fear and Reward.

Opposite emotions like fear and reward states often utilize the same brain regions. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) comprises one hub for processing fear and reward processes. However, it remains unknown how dorsal BNST (dBNST) circuits process these antagonistic behaviors. Here, we exploited a combined Pavlovian fear and reward conditioning task that exposed mice to conditioned tone stimuli (CS)s, either paired with sucrose delivery or footshock unconditioned stimuli (US). Pharmacological inactivation identified the dorsal BNST as a crucial element for both fear and reward behavior. Deep brain calcium imaging revealed opposite roles of two distinct dBNST neuronal output pathways to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) or paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH). dBNST neural activity profiles differentially process valence and Pavlovian behavior components: dBNST-PAG neurons encode fear CS, whereas dBNST-PVH neurons encode reward responding. Optogenetic activation of BNST-PVH neurons increased reward seeking, whereas dBNST-PAG neurons attenuated freezing. Thus, dBNST-PVH or dBNST-PAG circuitry encodes oppositely valenced fear and reward states, while simultaneously triggering an overall positive affective response bias (increased reward seeking while reducing fear responses). We speculate that this mechanism amplifies reward responding and suppresses fear responses linked to BNST dysfunction in stress and addictive behaviors.

Exposure to “Vaccination Selfies” Relate to Readers’ Vaccination Intention: The Moderating Role of Partisan Media Use and the Mediating Role of Affective Responses

As vaccines for COVID-19 become accessible to the U.S. public, vaccinated individuals often post “vaccination selfies” on social media to encourage unvaccinated others to be inoculated. This study explores the relationship between exposure to these vaccination posts and post readers’ vaccination intention. Drawn upon the functional affect theories, the authors proposed integral affective responses to the vaccination posts to explain readers’ vaccination intention. Social media users’ partisan media use was proposed to explain readers’ different affective responses. Results from a cross-sectional survey (N = 343) showed that only exposure to proximal others’ (e.g., friends), not distal others’ (e.g., celebrities), vaccination posts was significantly associated with vaccination intention through positive affective responses. Conservative media use enhanced readers’ negative affective response to vaccination posts whereas liberal media use was associated with positive affective responses. The findings highlighted the importance of social norms and positive affection appeals in pro-vaccination campaigns.

The use of virtual reality in environment experiences and the importance of realism

IntroductionVirtual reality (VR) can be extremely useful in simulating nature when physical presence is not possible. Additionally, it allows for environments to be customised (e.g., weather, or topography) and facilitates the design of controlled experimental settings. However, VR can involve the use of expensive equipment and complex software to create highly realistic immersive experiences. But is it necessary for experiences to rival the latest Hollywood blockbuster? This paper explores whether such investment can be valuable in research on nature experiences. StudiesTwo studies were conducted to examine how realism of environmental presentations impact affective responses and participant perceptions. Study One (n = 16) explored perceptions of the same lake presented to participants in the real world, in VR and as a video. Study Two (n = 120) compared participant's affective responses to one of four possible virtual environments differing in level of realism (high or low) and type (natural or built). ResultsStudy One showed that experiences of VR presentations fell between real and video presentations. Study Two found that more realistic VR environments evoked more positive affective and serenity responses, as well as a greater sense of presence. In both studies, participants stressed the importance of naturalistic interaction, sensory immersion, and graphical realism in the experiences, which may help explain these effects. ConclusionThe level of realism that can be attained with VR does impact affective responses and perceptions. Investment in VR for future research can be highly beneficial.

The Effect of Dog Videos on Subjective and Physiological Responses to Stress

ABSTRACT Research indicates that animal-assisted therapy programs can reduce stress responses. However, animals are not always permitted in public settings. Thus, alternative forms to the physical presence of an animal could be beneficial. The objective of this study was to determine (1) whether exposure to an active-dog video can help improve subjective and physiological responses to stress more than a tranquil-dog video, (2) whether exposure to dog videos can improve subjective and physiological stress responses more than nature videos, and (3) whether exposure to dog (and nature) videos can improve subjective and physiological stress responses more than a control video. Participants (n = 103; female = 78, male = 25) completed a stressful task and were randomly assigned to watch one of five videos: active dog (dog playing with a toy), tranquil dog (dog lying down quietly), active nature (fast-paced waterfall in a forest), tranquil nature (slow-moving stream in a forest), or blank screen (control video; a video of a black screen). Improvements in subjective (i.e., decrease in stress, anxiety, negative affect, and/or increase in happiness, relaxation, positive affect) and physiological (decrease in heart rate and blood pressure) responses to the stressor were examined. This study found no evidence that the active-dog video improved subjective or physiological responses more than the tranquil-dog video. However, this study found evidence that dog videos can decrease subjective anxiety and increase positive affect more than nature videos. Similarly, this study also found that dog videos can decrease subjective anxiety and increase happiness and positive affect more than can the control video. The effects of the dog videos and nature videos (and control video) on the remaining subjective measures and all physiological responses did not differ. Together, the results show some evidence that dog videos may be better at improving subjective anxiety, happiness, and positive affect responses than nature and/or control videos. However, the results did not show evidence that dog videos could alleviate any physiological responses more than the other videos. Practical applications of these findings include how to improve subjective anxiety and affect responses in public settings (e.g., universities) when animals are not allowed.

Focusing on the self in context as an emotion regulatory strategy: an evaluation of the “self-as-context” component of ACT compared to cognitive reappraisal in managing stress

ABSTRACT Background Self-as-Context (SAC) is one of the six core components of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy model (ACT). Objective The aim of the current study was to investigate whether SAC is effective in reducing negative affect and maintaining positive affect in response to a personally relevant stressor relative to cognitive reappraisal (CR) and spontaneous coping strategies. Method An undergraduate sample (N = 105) completed baseline measures and were asked to discuss a recent personally relevant stressor which was audiotaped, before being randomized to one of three conditions. Participants randomized to the SAC and CR conditions received 5-minutes of training, whilst participants allocated to the control condition were asked to read a brochure for 5-minutes. All participants then listened to their recorded stressful experience before completed follow-up measures. Results The SAC group reported significantly less negative affect than participants in the control group post-training induction; although the CR group did not differ from the SAC or control participants in reductions in negative affect post-induction. There were no significant group differences for positive affect. Conclusions The findings provide preliminary evidence that SAC is an effective emotion regulatory strategy in reducing acute distress in a stress-exposed young adult sample.

Treatment choice in the presence of conflicting information: The role of physician likeability in the choice of non-proven therapies against conventional treatment.

Research on why patients sometimes choose non-proven therapies (NPT) instead of conventional treatments is limited. We investigated how physician likeability influences the choice of NPT instead of conventional treatment. In an experiment with three medical scenarios, participants (N = 384) consulted two physicians who gave conflicting recommendations: The first physician recommended a conventional treatment and the second one recommended a NPT. We manipulated the likeability of the first physician, who was either likeable or unlikeable. Using mediation analyses, we explored how the effect of likeability was channelled and whether time pressure influenced treatment choice. Participants chose the NPT more often (OR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.03-2.00]), had more positive affective responses, and perceived more benefit from NPT when the conventional treatment was recommended by an unlikeable (vs. likeable) physician. Time pressure had no effect on treatment choice. Physicians' likeability might play an important role in treatment choice in the presence of conflicting information. Providers should be cognizant that poor communication might push patients to prefer the advice of more likeable physicians, even when they prescribe NPT instead of conventional treatment.

Visual Attention to the Source Matters: Using Eye Tracking to Understand the FDA's 'Every Try Counts' Campaign Message Effectiveness.

Visual attention is a crucial mechanism in health messaging and campaign persuasiveness. Little is known about how visual attention may translate into cessation-related outcomes in tobacco public education campaigns. Using the eye-tracking technology, this study investigated the relationships among visual attention, cognitive and affective message responses, and cessation-related outcomes (readiness to quit, intentions to quit, and intentions to seek cessation information). Four different posters from the Every Try Counts (ETC) campaign were used as message stimuli. A total of 80 adult current smokers participated. The associations between their behavioral eye gaze patterns and self-reported message responses and cessation-related outcomes were examined. Half of the sample (49.4%) were male, and 46.8% were White-with ages ranging from 18 to 36 years old (M = 21.22, SD = 2.86). Roughly 41% were daily smokers, and 78% had attempted quitting in the previous year. When exposed to campaign ads, only fixation on the FDA logo showed consistent positive relationships with cognitive and affective message responses. Mediation analyses revealed significant indirect effects of fixation on the FDA logo on quitting and information-seeking intentions mainly through positive affective message responses. Visual attention to the FDA logo played an important role in the effects of ETC campaign messages. This study contributes new evidence on the relationship of visual attention, message responses, and ETC campaign outcomes. The current findings suggest that highlighting FDA as a campaign sponsor in the visual display may enhance the effectiveness of FDA tobacco education messages.

How Do We Perceive a Humorous Manager? Manager Humor, Impression Management, and Employee Willingness to Work With the Manager.

Humor is a form of communication that is intended to be entertaining and produce positive affective and cognitive responses from receivers. Nonetheless, humor in the workplace is a complicated matter. It has been recognized as a valuable tool for managers because it can activate various favorable outcomes and alter employees’ perception of the manager’s warmth and competence (impression management), but not always to the benefit of the manager. In our studies, the use of humor showed changed attitudes toward a manager’s warmth and competence, and eventually influenced the employee’s behavioral intentions. In Study 1, we tested the use of managerial humor in two emails. The humorous manager was perceived as warm, but not competent. Impression management mediated the employee’s willingness to work with the manager. In Study 2, we tested the use of managerial humor with one introductory email. In this study, we also monitored the gender of both the manager and the employee. Once again, the humorous manager was perceived as warm and humor mediated employees’ behavioral intentions. As for competence, gender moderated the results, such that male employees perceived humorous female managers as more competent, while female employees perceived humorous male managers as less competent. Practical implications are presented.

Narrative Risk Communication as a Lingua Franca for Environmental Hazard Preparation

ABSTRACT Incorporating narrative elements into risk communication may encourage preparation for environmental hazards in ways that scientific language alone does not. We integrate narrative theory, narrative persuasion, and risk theories into a Narrative Risk Communication Framework and then assess the effectiveness of character selection as a narrative mechanism in scientific risk communication as compared to conventional science messaging alone. We utilize a survey experiment with residents along the flood-prone Yellowstone River in Montana and analyze the resulting data with a parallel and serial mediation statistical model. We find that positive affective response mediates the influence of narratives featuring hero character language. Positive affective response appears to overcome the risk perception paradox both by circumventing rational analysis of risk and by shaping risk perception. Overall, the results suggest that inspirational hero language is superior to language of fear or victimization in encouraging preparation – an important lesson for practitioners working to help citizens prepare for environmental disasters.

The “Joker” laugh: Social judgments towards affective deviants in a sample of young offenders with callous unemotional traits

We assessed negative bias in Colombian young offenders towards affective deviants (those who violate emotional norms). Postulating that affective deviants elicit an “uncanny/creepy” feeling resembling that produced by psychopaths, we explored social judgments of affective deviants in individuals with callous-unemotional (CU) traits. 188 young offenders evaluated a target displaying congruent or incongruent affective displays in response to pictures eliciting positive/negative affect, depending on the condition. Affective deviants were rated as creepier and less trustworthy, and more likely to have bad moral character, than targets who displayed normative affect. Further, affective deviants who displayed positive affect in response to negative stimuli were rated as having worse moral character than those who displayed negative affect in response to positive stimuli. CU traits predicted lower trustworthiness judgments of targets in congruent conditions, but higher trustworthiness judgments of targets in incongruent conditions. CU traits also predicted higher desired social distance and creepiness judgments in congruent conditions. Creepiness ratings correlated with judgments of bad moral character, suggesting that this emotional response may be involved in moral evaluations of strangers. These findings indicate that deviant affective displays produce a variety of negative social judgments, with CU traits playing a role in these social cognitive heuristics.

How Satirical News Impacts Affective Responses, Learning, and Persuasion: A Three-Level Random-Effects Meta-Analysis

Satirical news blends entertainment with information and opinion. Satire can thus impact various audience responses, such as positive and negative affect, learning, and persuasion. However, the presence and size of these communicative effects have been debated. We conducted a three-level random-effects meta-analysis on the impact of satirical news ( k = 70, Ntotal = 22,969). We compared satirical news to two reference categories: (1) control messages with no or irrelevant information, and (2) regular news with similar informational content. Results demonstrate that satirical (vs. regular) news increased positive affective responses and message discounting. By contrast, satire increased learning compared to control messages, but not compared to regular news. We find limited evidence for a positive main effect of satire on persuasion. However, we find different moderating effects, indicating that persuasion effects are stronger for Republicans (vs. other voters), student (vs. general-population) samples, TV satire (vs. online and print satire), and for satire targeting social actors.

Can Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Help Children Be Physically Active? Exploring the Immersive Qualities of Les Mills’ and Marvel’s “Move Like the Avengers” Video

There have been calls for more enjoyable Physical Activity (PA) interventions which focus on ensuring a positive affective response. This study explored how using a narrative, characters, and music in a video-led PA session might influence the sense of immersion and impact the affective response. One hundred and thirty-six participants (boys n = 65, girls n = 71) were recruited, 85% aged between 7 and 11 years old. Participants completed the “Move Like the Avengers” PA video created by Les Mills and Marvel, then complete a survey answering questions on their post activity affective responses, and the use of immersive elements. Positive average affective responses were found (valence mean score: 3.6 ± 2.2, arousal mean score: 5.1 ± 1.0). Analysis revealed the narrative with characters indirectly mediate the valence response through creating a sense of immersion (βstd = 0.122 [95%CI 0.013 to 0.231]; p = 0.012). Musical elements had both a direct (βstd = 0.449 [95%CI 0.264 to 0.634]; p < 0.001), and an indirect (βstd = 0.122 [95%CI 0.014 to 0.229]; p = 0.011) effect upon valence and a direct effect upon arousal (βstd = 0.244 [95%CI 0.006 to 0.482]; p = 0.021). These promising results provide justification for future research into children’s immersive PA.

قیاس أثر مشارکة معلومات التغییر على اتجاهات العاملین تجاه التغییر ونوایا ترک العمل : فی ظل توسط دور الوفاء بالعقد النفسی والثقة والالتزام

يهدف البحث بشکل رئيسي إلى تحديد أثر مشارکة المعلومات الجيدة المتعلقة بالتغيير على اتجاهات ومواقف العاملين تجاه التغيير في ظل توسط عددا من السوابق المتعلقة بالتغيير ( الثقة ، والوفاء بالعقد النفسي، والالتزام التنظيمي ) ، وتأثير ذلک على نوايا ترک العمل ، تم التطبيق على شرکات التکنولوجيا المتقدمة ، حيث تم التواصل مع (37) شرکة بعينة بلغت (485) مفردة من المديرين والمرؤوسين ، وتم استرداد 348 استمارة صحيحة بنسبة بلغت 71.7% ، وباستخدام عددا من الأساليب الإحصائية في برنامج (AMOS,19) حيث أظهرت النتائج جودة وملائمة المتغيرات بالنموذج ، کما أشارت النتائج إلى ايجابية العلاقة بين سوابق التغيير (الالتزام التنظيمي ، والوفاء بالعقد النفسي ) واتجاهات العاملين نحو التغيير ، کما أظهرت أن معلومات التغيير ترتبط ايجابيا بالوفاء بالعقد النفسي فقط ولم تظهر أية دلالة احصائية لتأثيرها على الالتزام ، والثقة ، کما أن معلومات التغيير ترتبط ايجابيا بتلک الاتجاهات ، کما أظهرت أن معلومات التغيير ترتبط سلبيا بنوايا ترک العمل ، في حين لم تظهر أية دلالة احصائية لاتجاهات العاملين نحو التغيير على نوايا ترک العمل . this study determines how Quality of change information influences employees' attitude towards organizational change and turnover intention . Additionally , the role of commitment information and attitude towards change is assessed, the research design include ( 378 ) companies were interviewed with a sample of (485) managers and subordinates, and 348 valid forms were retrieved at 71.7%, using a number of statistical methods in the AMOS program. The results showed that change information was positively related to psychological contract fulfillment and attitude towards change. Commitment and psychological Contract fulfillment were positively related to attitude towards change and negatively to turnover intention. Contrary to what was expected , trust didn't influence attitude towards change but was negatively related to turnover intention the study show a model that can help managers to foster positive affective , behavioral, and cognitive responses to change to reduce employee turnover .fulfilling employees' psychological contracts and engagement is important in this respect .

Exercisers' Affective and Enjoyment Responses: A Meta-Analytic and Meta-Regression Review.

Affective responses and enjoyment of exercise mediate exercise adherence, but previous research findings have failed to examine nuances that may moderate this relationship. We examined the effects of exercise on affective and enjoyment responses during and post exercise through a systematic literature review and meta-regression analysis. We searched major databases up to July 9, 2020 for studies evaluating healthy adults' acute and chronic responses to exercise, using either of The Feeling Scale or Physical Activity Enjoyment Scales. We calculated effect size (ES) values of 20 unique studies (397 participants; 40% females) as standardized differences in the means and expressed them as Hedges' g, together with the 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Among acute studies examining affective responses, we found a greater positive effect post exercise for continuous training (CT) compared to high intensity interval training (HIIT) (g = -0.61; 95%CI = -1.11, -0.10; p < .018), but there was no significant difference between these modes for effects during exercise. Subgroup analyses revealed that moderate, and not high intensity, CT, compared to HIIT, resulted in significantly greater positive affective responses (g = -1.09; 95%CI = -1.88, -0.30; p < .006). In contrast, enjoyment was greater for HIIT, compared to CT (g = 0.75; 95%CI = 0.17, -1.13; p = .010), but CT intensity did not influence this result. Among chronic studies, there was greater enjoyment following HIIT compared to CT, but these studies were too few to permit meta-analysis. We concluded that an acute bout of moderate intensity CT is more pleasurable, when measured post exercise than HIIT, but enjoyment is greater following HIIT, perhaps due to an interaction between effort, discomfort, time efficiency and constantly changing stimuli.

A Fresh Start for Stigmatized Groups: The Effect of Cultural Identity Mindset Framing in Brand Advertising

The idea that individuals can create a new beginning, known as the fresh start mindset, is deeply embedded in American culture. This mindset represents an accessible, shared construct that may be particularly relevant for changing attitudes toward two highly stigmatized groups: ex-offenders and drug addicts. While previous advertising literature has suggested that ambiguous or symbolic approaches may help improve consumer response, we show (using four studies) that cultural identity mindset framing (CIMF) can generate more positive affect toward the sponsoring brand and more positive attitudes toward the stigmatized group. Study 1 shows that explicitly referencing a highly stigmatized group leads to a less positive affective response toward the brand. Study 2 reveals that CIMF improves that response. Study 3 uses a real brand to replicate the positive affect toward the sponsoring brand. Study 4 documents a positive attitude shift toward the stigmatized group. Our research opens a new research corridor for explicitly referencing a stigmatized group, expands the stigmatized group discourse to two underrepresented groups, provides empirical evidence for the fresh start message frame, and answers a call to understand whether corporate social responsibility advertising is better than not advertising it at all.

The impact of better‐ Versus worse‐than‐average comparisons on beliefs about how life satisfaction is unfolding over time, affect, and motivation

AbstractWe investigated comparisons to the average other in shaping how individuals view their lives as unfolding over time, affective reactions, and motivation. Participants described their current life (Study 1; N = 382; M age = 30.01 years; 43% female) or their life as unfolding over time (Study 2; N = 451; M age = 30.89; 54% female) as either better (BTA) or worse (WTA) than the average person their age and gender (both studies included a “no comparison” control group). In both studies the BTA (vs. WTA) condition resulted in greater perceived improvement in life satisfaction, more positive affective reactions, and greater motivation to achieve one's goals for the future. Thus, we conclude that viewing one's current life or one's progress in life over time as better (vs. worse) than average leads to more favourable temporal life evaluations, more positive affective responses, and greater motivation.