Holly Abercrombie L&S Social Sciences
The Effect of Emotion-Related Impulsivity on Analogical Reasoning
Emotion plays a powerful role in shaping how we think, yet we all differ in how much our logic is swayed by our feelings. Although research shows that emotion can both help and hinder our cognition, we don’t fully understand why some people are more vulnerable to these effects than others. One potential factor is emotion-related impulsivity—the tendency to act reflexively rather than deliberately when experiencing strong emotions. My project examines how this impulsivity shapes analogical reasoning, which is our ability to recognize patterns and apply past knowledge to new situations. I am investigating whether individuals prone to emotion-related impulsivity show reduced accuracy in analogical reasoning, especially when emotion is present but irrelevant to the problem at hand. By focusing on these individual differences, my research aims to understand when and for whom emotion disrupts reasoning. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to broader efforts in understanding decision-making and how people process complex information.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much for your support of my research this summer. I am deeply interested in how emotion influences the way we think and make decisions, and this project gives me the chance to explore that question in depth. Your generosity allows me to pursue work that is both meaningful and personally motivating. I truly appreciate your support in making this possible.