Accuracy and Response Time for Modus Ponens Syllogisms Vary by Controversial Topic and Categorical Emotion

Bibliographic Data

ID13675459
AuthorsLeslie J Kelley (0000-0002-8450-6046, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, USA, corresponding author), Anissia Espinoza (University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA), Drew A Curtis (0000-0003-4655-7253, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, USA), Adam Randell (University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, USA), Adam K Abuharthieh (Collin College - Preston Ridge Campus, Frisco, TX, USA)
Year2023
Volume126
Issue6
Pages3000-3027
Publication date2023-11-14
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00332941221125777
PMID37964448
OpenAlexW4388703481
LanguageEN
References cited38

Researchers have documented differential effects of emotion on cognitive processes, debating whether emotion may increase or decrease the response time and accuracy of logical thinking. The current study proposed that differences may be due to variability occurring across topic and categorical emotions, such that assessment of several basic emotional responses in the context of performing logical reasoning tasks may provide an initial indication of these differences. Utilizing modus ponens syllogisms composed of controversial statements, the current study evoked a variety of emotional responses and tested the accuracy of participants' basic logical thinking. Results indicated that logical skills were largely preserved despite the topic and emotion, nonetheless, accuracy varied across syllogism type (controversial vs. control), with increased accuracy on controversial syllogisms. Syllogisms rated as evoking no emotion were answered more accurately than those that evoked any emotion, with disgust and anger associated with less accuracy than no emotion and gladness associated with increased accuracy. Response times also differed across syllogism type, emotion, and emotion intensity

Anger · Automaticity · Categorical variable · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Context (archaeology · Disgust · Inference · Linguistics · Meditation · Modus ponens · Syllogism · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Social Psychology

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