Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated lawful relationships between judgements of how much one wants a desired outcome (D), level of expectation that the outcome will occur (E), and how good or bad one feels in relationship to D and E, termed F. Two equations derived in these studies were: (a) F =-0.3 D + 1.3 DE 1/2 for approach goals, and (b) F = -D + 1.4 DE 2 for avoidance goals. We tested the extent to which these same equations were associated with choices made in everyday life and the extent to which both these equations as well as direct measures of emotional feeling were associated with strength of choice. Participants rated D, E, F, and strength of choice (SC) of real life options. Equations derived for relationships between D, E, and F were very similar to those derived previously. Direct ratings of emotional feelings about options, termed F, and F calculated from equations 1 and 2 were closely associated with each other (r =.93) and with strength of choice (r =.72 and.84 for F and F, respectively). In contrast, DE was poorly associated with ratings of emotional feelings (r of DE vs. F =.37) and modestly associated with strength of choice (r =.55). All of these results support a commonality between cognitive processes underlying emotions and choice.