Individual differences in naturally occurring affect predict conceptual breadth: evidence for the importance of arousal by valence interactions.

ABSTRACT: Several studies have investigated the effect of induced mood state on conceptual breadth (breadth and flexibility of thought). Early studies concluded that inducing a positive mood state broadened cognition, while inducing a negative mood state narrowed cognition. However, recent reports have suggested that valence and arousal can each influence conceptual breadth. Individual differences in affective dispositions may bias perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors and, in turn, may be biased by them. Here, we examine whether individual differences in valence and arousal dimensions of self-reported, naturally occurring affect relate to conceptual breadth (using the Remote Associates Test, the Object Categorization Task, and the Alternative Uses Task), with no mood manipulations or cues. The three

SUBMITTER: Chung A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9674818 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature