NCJ Number
234970
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2011 Pages: 24-44
Date Published
March 2011
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study explored the differences in impact between mediation and moderation on an individual's emotions during the decisionmaking process.
Abstract
A growing body of research suggests that perception of various benefits can mediate the role of emotions on offending, however similar research has yet to find much support for the impact of emotional state on cost perceptions. Other research suggests that the influence of cost perceptions may be moderated by emotional state - that is, only relevant to those in 'cool' states. The current study utilized random assignment to arousal conditions to examine the potential for either mediating effects of emotions on cost perceptions, or for sanction perceptions to be moderated by sexual arousal (measured as assigned condition or reported level of arousal). Results provided little support for the notion that arousal impacts cost perceptions, but did suggest that cost perceptions were moderated by arousal level. Implications for understanding the role of emotional states in decisionmaking are discussed. (Published Abstract)