Beyond valence: Toward a model of emotion-specific influences on judgementand choice

Most theories of affective influences on judgement and choice take a valenc e-based approach, contrasting the effects of positive versus negative feeli ng states. These approaches have not specified if and when distinct emotion s of the same valence have different effects on judgement. In this article, we propose a model of emotion-specific influences on judgement and choice. We posit that each emotion is defined by a tendency to perceive new events and objects in ways that are consistent with the original cognitive-apprai sal dimensions of the emotion. To pit the valence and appraisal-tendency ap proaches against one another, we present a study that addresses whether two emotions of the same valence but differing appraisals-anger and fear-relat e in different ways to risk perception. Consistent with the appraisal-tende ncy hypothesis, fearful people made pessimistic judgements of future events whereas angry people made optimistic judgements. In the Discussion we expa nd the proposed model and review evidence supporting two social moderators of appraisal-tendency processes.