The Influence of Individual Differences in Emotional Clarity on Sensitivity to Situational Cues
The influence of individual differences in emotional clarity on the use of situational cues in decision making was investigated. Accuracy of situational cues was manipulated in the form of ostensible previous ratings given to participants while viewing pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant pictures. Of importance to this study was whether persons low in emotional clarity would rely more on situational cues, regardless of their accuracy, than would persons high in this trait. Personality was assessed using two scales which measure emotional clarity. Self-monitoring was also examined as a possible moderator of any findings. Contrary to predictions, our findings indicated that individuals low in emotional clarity relied more on situational cues than individuals high in this trait only when the ostensible previous ratings were accurate. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.
Emotion, Emotional Clarity, Individual Differences, Situational Cues, Psychology
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