Affective influences on partner choice: role of mood in social decisions

J Pers Soc Psychol. 1991 Nov;61(5):708-20. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.61.5.708.

Abstract

Does mood influence our information search and decision strategies when choosing a partner? In Experiment 1 (N = 60), sad Ss preferred rewarding to competent partners and remembered information supporting that choice better. In Experiment 2 (N = 96), mood effects on information selectivity, decision speed, and processing strategy in partner choices were found. In Experiment 3 (N = 42), a computerized stimulus presentation revealed mood-induced differences in the latency, self-exposure, and eventual recall of interpersonal information. These results are interpreted as evidence for mood-induced selectivity in information search and decision strategies when making realistic partner choices. The implications of the findings for research on interpersonal relations and for contemporary affect-cognition theories are considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Mental Recall
  • Motivation
  • Social Environment*