A pandemic-related affect gap in risky decisions for self and others

Bibliographic Data

ID7149863
AuthorsAalim Makani (0009-0008-7079-0868, Toronto Metropolitan University), Sadia Chowdhury (0000-0003-4287-7073, Toronto Metropolitan University), David B Flora (0000-0001-7472-0914, York University), Julia Spaniol (0000-0003-1793-0899, Toronto Metropolitan University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume39
Issue2
Pages211-226
Publication date2025-02-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCognition & Emotion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-9931 • E-ISSN: 1464-0600
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02699931.2024.2404635
PMID39287325
OpenAlexW4402555943
LanguageEN
References cited43

437, age range: 21-82) sought to test whether negative pandemic-related affect would lower expected-value (EV) maximisation within individuals. In Experiment 1, participants indicated how much they would be willing to pay to avoid specific pandemic experiences (e.g. "not being able to gather in groups"), and then chose among pairs of risky prospects that involved pandemic experiences or subjectively-equivalent monetary losses. EV maximising was lower for pandemic experiences than for equivalent monetary losses. Experiment 2 replicated this finding, and further demonstrated a moderating role of decision perspective. EV maximising was greater in decisions made for another person than in decisions made for oneself. These findings highlight potential strategies for boosting decision making under affect-rich real-world conditions

Cognitive psychology · Pandemic · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Communication · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Psychology · Risk Perception and Management · Social Psychology

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