Effect of Emotion in Information Processing for Decision-Making

Abstract

Decision-making is a process of selection among other options and a problem-solving activity. This is a cognitive process which is influenced by cognitive skills, the psychological makeup of the decision-maker and the situation itself. The deliberation and selection of the final decision go through certain information processing. This chapter discusses the effect of emotion in information processing for decision-making. The influence of emotion has been recognized as the motivational process and input information in decision-making. The types of emotions and influence, the categorical dimensional model of emotion and dual processing in the emotional state are discussed in detail with an understanding of an advantageous or disadvantageous role played by emotion in decision-making. The effect of emotional state on risk perception and judgement and the possibility of gender difference in information processing are integrated into different sections. This chapter also attempts to address relevant neuroscientific research finding related to information processing in decision-making.