Are lived choices based on emotional processes?

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 = 70.3 D + 1.3 DE1/2 for approach goals, and (b) F = -D + 1.4 DE2 for avoidance go als. We tested the extent to which these same equations were associated wit h choices made in everyday life and the extent to which both these equation s as well as direct measures of emotional feeling were associated with stre ngth 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 w ere closely associated with each other (r = .93) and with strength of choic e (r = .72 and .84 for F and F, respectively). In contrast, DE was poorly a ssociated with ratings of emotional feelings (r of DE vs. F = .37) and mode stly associated with strength of choice (r = .55). All of these results sup port a commonality between cognitive processes underlying emotions and choi ce.