Leiden University Student Repository

Gooijer, Amber de (2026)

The Emotional Basis of Choice: The Influence of Incidental Emotions on Option Generation and Satisfaction

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

In everyday life, people often make decisions while experiencing emotions that are unrelated to the decision itself, known as incidental emotions. This study examined whether these emotions affect how many options people generate and how satisfied they are with the chosen option. Emotional state was assessed using valence and arousal ratings. Four hypotheses tested whether valence and arousal each influenced the number of options generated and the satisfaction reported. No significant main effects were found. However, a significant interaction between valence and arousal on satisfaction was observed. For individuals with low arousal, feeling more pleasant led to higher satisfaction, whereas for those with high arousal, pleasantness was associated with slightly lower satisfaction. These findings show that emotions are not simple, linear mechanisms, and that their role in decision-making requires careful consideration. Taken together, this study provides an honest report that future...Show moreIn everyday life, people often make decisions while experiencing emotions that are unrelated to the decision itself, known as incidental emotions. This study examined whether these emotions affect how many options people generate and how satisfied they are with the chosen option. Emotional state was assessed using valence and arousal ratings. Four hypotheses tested whether valence and arousal each influenced the number of options generated and the satisfaction reported. No significant main effects were found. However, a significant interaction between valence and arousal on satisfaction was observed. For individuals with low arousal, feeling more pleasant led to higher satisfaction, whereas for those with high arousal, pleasantness was associated with slightly lower satisfaction. These findings show that emotions are not simple, linear mechanisms, and that their role in decision-making requires careful consideration. Taken together, this study provides an honest report that future research can build on by exploring alternative methodological approaches.Show less

incidental emotions, emotions, decision making, Option Generation, Satisfaction

Author

Gooijer, Amber de

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Economic and Consumer Psychology

Supervisors

Vives Moya, M.L.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en