title: Positive feelings facilitate working memory and complex decision making among older adults.
abstract: The impact of induced mild positive feelings on working memory and complex decision making among older adults (aged 63-85) was examined. Participants completed a computer administered card task in which participants could win money if they chose from "gain" decks and lose money if they chose from "loss" decks. Individuals in the positive-feeling condition chose better than neutral-feeling participants and earned more money overall. Participants in the positive-feeling condition also demonstrated improved working-memory capacity. These effects of positive-feeling induction have implications for affect theory, as well as, potentially, practical implications for people of all ages dealing with complex decisions.
authors: Decision Research, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors: Stephanie M
authors: SM
authors: Carpenter
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Peters
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Västfjäll
authors: Alice M
authors: AM
authors: Isen
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D015205:Northwestern United States