In collaboration with Payame Noor University and Iranian Association of Social Psychology

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the current research is to answer the question whether functions related to emotion such as risky decision-making and theory of mind change in all people under the influence of sadness and happiness induction, or according to different levels of emotional processing. People react differently after experiencing these emotions. Method: In order to investigate this question, 60 volunteers, in the age range of 18-40 years old, were included using available sampling method. After evaluating the mood with the Beck Depression Questionnaire and measuring emotional processing by the Baker scale, they were randomly placed in one of the groups of induction of happiness, induction of sadness and control. In order to induce emotional states, the methods of playing short films and mental imagery were used. Then the Iowa software test and the eye reading mind test were performed. Findings: The results obtained using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that in this research, the induction of none of the emotions of happiness and sadness had no significant effect on the amount of theory of mind and risky decision making of participants with different levels of emotional processing. Conclusion: From these findings, it can be concluded that being exposed to emotions of happiness and sadness with moderate to relatively high intensity in the short term (less than an hour), cannot significantly alter the level of functions of theory of mind and risky decision making in the direction of improvement or dysfunction in individuals with different emotional processing levels.

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