9 Ways Your Emotions Influence Your Judgments

Did you know that your emotions influence judgments and the way you think? Your actions and how you deal with certain situations is related to how you feel. Letโ€™s take a closer look at emotions and decision making.

Individual decisions are best understood as the interactions between reason and emotion. When we are calm, slow rational thinking guides our decisions. However, strong emotions place a constraint on clear thinking.

For example, before an unpleasant encounter, you may decide to keep your cool. However, when provoked to anger, you lash out without pausing to consider the consequences.

Our emotional reactions to our daily decisions may be useful in directing our attention toward what matters the most. But, strong feelings may lead us to make unwise decisions.

Here are nine ways your emotions influence judgments

1. A narrow mindset. 

Strong feelings (e.g., anger, fear, or craving) create a kind of โ€œtunnel vision.โ€ For instance, anger narrows attention such that current feelings, thoughts, impulses would be given extra weight, whereas future goals, ambitions, or plans seem less consequential.

2. Jumping to conclusions. 

9 Ways Your Emotions Influence Judgments

A worried person is motivated to reduce uncertainty and eliminate discomfort. The decision is guided by a selective information search, limited consideration of alternatives, and rapid evaluation of data (e.g., the case of conspiracy theory).

3. Attention bias. 

As William James observed, โ€œwhat holds attention determines action.โ€ Individuals tend to process information in a manner that is consistent with their views of the world and themselves. For example, a person with low self-esteem is highly sensitive to being ignored by other people, and they constantly monitor for signs that people might not like them.

4. Mood-congruent memory. 

Our current emotional state helps recall experiences that had a similar emotional tone. When we are in a happy mood, we tend to recall pleasant events and vice versa. This is because moods bring different associations to mind. For ample, sad music is a powerful trigger for nostalgic memories of foregone times.

5. Emotional contagion. 

We tend to โ€œcatchโ€ the emotions (sad or happy) of others when perceiving their emotional expressions. And this process assists us in understanding the feelings of others. For example, when you have a casual conversation with someone anxious, you tend to walk away from the encounter feeling somewhat anxious yourself.

Related: Why Your Emotions Are Not โ€œThingsโ€ In Your Brain

6. Background moods. 

Emotions triggered by an event completely unrelated to a new situation can influence our thinking and decisions. For example, on sunnier days, we tend to tip more at restaurants and express higher levels of overall happiness.

7. An urge to blame. 

When we are hurt and angry, we want someone to be blamed (or held responsible) for our pain. We feel superior by blaming others. It pleases our ego to believe that any bad event is someone elseโ€™s fault.

8. Time perception.

Time estimates can be distorted by our emotions. When we are anxiously waiting for something to happen, we experience a slower passage of time. Time flies when you are having fun.

9. Projection bias. 

Typical emotions are essentially transient. What comes up often comes down. However, people tend to mispredict the short duration of emotional response. For example, heartbroken people are unable to anticipate the decay of their emotions. One of the reasons for adolescentsโ€™ high risk for suicide is because when they feel pain, they lack the life experience to know it is temporary.

What is the take-home lesson? Certain vulnerable situations tend to trigger impulsive choices. By becoming more aware of our emotions, we experience ourselves as free rather than victims.

If you want to learn more about emotions and decision making, take a look at this video:

Now that you know your emotions can influence your judgments, the best way to deal with it is by knowing and having an awareness of them. The more you understand your emotions, the better you will get at handling them and can also stop them from controlling you and your life.


Written by Shahram Heshmat
Originally Appeared In Psychology Today
Ways Emotions Influence Judgments pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

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— About the Author —

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You can have every material success in the world and still not be happy. Happiness comes from within and without.

As a psychiatrist and empath, I respect that each person has different values and needs. Because of this, I know never to judge a personโ€™s happiness simply by how they appear to the world.

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This isn’t always noble and the right thing to do. It is related to a pattern known as the self sacrifice schema, which involves a deeply rooted belief that other peopleโ€™s needs always come before your own.

It often starts early in life. Maybe you were praised for being โ€œthe helper.โ€ Maybe you learned that expressing your own needs caused conflict, or that your role was to keep others happy. Over time, this belief becomes automatic. You give too much, too often, until you’re left feeling invisible and exhausted. You’re a people-pleaser now.

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Is it possible to feel other peopleโ€™s emotions and carry them inadvertently? Yes, both science and spiritual beliefs claim that those of us who are more sensitive than others pick up on other people’s energy and absorb them without even realizing.

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9 Ways Your Emotions Influence Your Judgments

Did you know that your emotions influence judgments and the way you think? Your actions and how you deal with certain situations is related to how you feel. Letโ€™s take a closer look at emotions and decision making.

Individual decisions are best understood as the interactions between reason and emotion. When we are calm, slow rational thinking guides our decisions. However, strong emotions place a constraint on clear thinking.

For example, before an unpleasant encounter, you may decide to keep your cool. However, when provoked to anger, you lash out without pausing to consider the consequences.

Our emotional reactions to our daily decisions may be useful in directing our attention toward what matters the most. But, strong feelings may lead us to make unwise decisions.

Here are nine ways your emotions influence judgments

1. A narrow mindset. 

Strong feelings (e.g., anger, fear, or craving) create a kind of โ€œtunnel vision.โ€ For instance, anger narrows attention such that current feelings, thoughts, impulses would be given extra weight, whereas future goals, ambitions, or plans seem less consequential.

2. Jumping to conclusions. 

9 Ways Your Emotions Influence Judgments

A worried person is motivated to reduce uncertainty and eliminate discomfort. The decision is guided by a selective information search, limited consideration of alternatives, and rapid evaluation of data (e.g., the case of conspiracy theory).

3. Attention bias. 

As William James observed, โ€œwhat holds attention determines action.โ€ Individuals tend to process information in a manner that is consistent with their views of the world and themselves. For example, a person with low self-esteem is highly sensitive to being ignored by other people, and they constantly monitor for signs that people might not like them.

4. Mood-congruent memory. 

Our current emotional state helps recall experiences that had a similar emotional tone. When we are in a happy mood, we tend to recall pleasant events and vice versa. This is because moods bring different associations to mind. For ample, sad music is a powerful trigger for nostalgic memories of foregone times.

5. Emotional contagion. 

We tend to โ€œcatchโ€ the emotions (sad or happy) of others when perceiving their emotional expressions. And this process assists us in understanding the feelings of others. For example, when you have a casual conversation with someone anxious, you tend to walk away from the encounter feeling somewhat anxious yourself.

Related: Why Your Emotions Are Not โ€œThingsโ€ In Your Brain

6. Background moods. 

Emotions triggered by an event completely unrelated to a new situation can influence our thinking and decisions. For example, on sunnier days, we tend to tip more at restaurants and express higher levels of overall happiness.

7. An urge to blame. 

When we are hurt and angry, we want someone to be blamed (or held responsible) for our pain. We feel superior by blaming others. It pleases our ego to believe that any bad event is someone elseโ€™s fault.

8. Time perception.

Time estimates can be distorted by our emotions. When we are anxiously waiting for something to happen, we experience a slower passage of time. Time flies when you are having fun.

9. Projection bias. 

Typical emotions are essentially transient. What comes up often comes down. However, people tend to mispredict the short duration of emotional response. For example, heartbroken people are unable to anticipate the decay of their emotions. One of the reasons for adolescentsโ€™ high risk for suicide is because when they feel pain, they lack the life experience to know it is temporary.

What is the take-home lesson? Certain vulnerable situations tend to trigger impulsive choices. By becoming more aware of our emotions, we experience ourselves as free rather than victims.

If you want to learn more about emotions and decision making, take a look at this video:

Now that you know your emotions can influence your judgments, the best way to deal with it is by knowing and having an awareness of them. The more you understand your emotions, the better you will get at handling them and can also stop them from controlling you and your life.


Written by Shahram Heshmat
Originally Appeared In Psychology Today
Ways Emotions Influence Judgments pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

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Hereโ€™s the part no one really talks about: being an eternal optimist is exhausting.

But it also has some good parts like it helps you bounce back, believe in second chances, and find meaning even in mess.

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What is guilt, really? Is it a moral compass, a learned response, or something deeper rooted in identity and accountability? Letโ€™s explore with David Prucha.

How guilt can protect us from a feeling we like even less.

Key points

Guilt can feel like hope, it offers the illusion that change is still possible.

Powerlessness isnโ€™t failure; itโ€™s a boundary that protects our energy.

Letting go of guilt allows rest, which prepares us for when action truly matters.

Up Next

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True Success and Power: What Do Theyย Really Mean? 3 Keys

You chase success and power, but have you ever paused to ask what they truly mean for you, your life, and your deeper purpose? Let’s find out below!

Success and power have many facets.

You can have every material success in the world and still not be happy. Happiness comes from within and without.

As a psychiatrist and empath, I respect that each person has different values and needs. Because of this, I know never to judge a personโ€™s happiness simply by how they appear to the world.

Up Next

Giving Too Much? 6 Signs You’re Caught In Chronic Self Sacrifice Cycle

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Do you give up things for your partner? Feel responsible for your parentsโ€™ happiness? Does saying no make you feel guilty? If so, you might be caught in a cycle of chronic self sacrifice. Want to know more? Read on below.

This isn’t always noble and the right thing to do. It is related to a pattern known as the self sacrifice schema, which involves a deeply rooted belief that other peopleโ€™s needs always come before your own.

It often starts early in life. Maybe you were praised for being โ€œthe helper.โ€ Maybe you learned that expressing your own needs caused conflict, or that your role was to keep others happy. Over time, this belief becomes automatic. You give too much, too often, until you’re left feeling invisible and exhausted. You’re a people-pleaser now.

But by just b

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You met someone new and they were on their best behavior; still, the interaction left you feeling agitated or exhausted – sounds familiar? You might be absorbing other people’s energy!

Is it possible to feel other peopleโ€™s emotions and carry them inadvertently? Yes, both science and spiritual beliefs claim that those of us who are more sensitive than others pick up on other people’s energy and absorb them without even realizing.

If you are someone with codependent tendencies, an abundance of empathy, HSP (Highly Sensitive Personality) traits, or grew up in a household where your safety depended on reading other peopleโ€™s changing moods, ton

Up Next

Is Your Energy Magnetic? 6 Signs You Have A Strong Aura

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Whether you believe in energy or vibe checks, we all give off a certain “presence” that others can feel. You can feel someone else’s presence too. In this post, weโ€™ll break down the 6 signs you have a strong aura, and how it shows up in everyday life.

Ever had someone tell you, โ€œThereโ€™s something about youโ€ฆโ€ even if they canโ€™t quite explain what it is? That โ€œsomethingโ€ might be your aura, the unseen energy you carry everywhere you go. Itโ€™s real, and we all have it.

Your aura reflects your emotional, mental, and spiritual state. When itโ€™s strong, you feel grounded, others feel drawn to you. But when it’s weak, you may feel drained, anxious, or disconnected from yourself and others.

Up Next

3 Warning Signs Youโ€™re Drowning In Toxic Positivity

3 Sneaky Ways Toxic Positivity Shows Up in Your Everyday Life

Toxic positivity isn’t just annoyingโ€”it’s exhausting. When you’re constantly forcing a smile, ignoring real emotions, or brushing off pain with โ€œgood vibes only,โ€ you’re deep in the signs of toxic positivity.

It’s time we start rejecting toxic positivity and make space for honesty over forced positivity.

KEY POINTS

When positivity is forced, it can dismiss valid emotions.

Feeling sad, angry, or frustrated is part of being human.

Instead of saying โ€œLook on the bright side,โ€ ask, โ€œHow can I support you right now?โ€