Conflicted Minds: Recalibrational Emotions Following Trust-Based Interaction

We investigated whether 20 emotional states, reported by 170 participants after participating in a Trust game, were experienced in a patterned way predicted by the Recalibrational Model. According to this dynamic model, new information about trust-based interaction outcomes triggers specific sets of emotions. Emotions, in turn, recalibrate the short-sighted or long-sighted programs in self and/or others that determine trust-based behavior propensity. Unlike Valence Models that predict reports of large sets of emotional states according to interdependent positive and negative affect alone, the Recalibrational Model predicts conflicted, mixed-affect emotional states. Consistent with the Recalibrational Model, we observed reports of mixed-affect (concurrent positive and negative) emotional states (e.g., strong simultaneous experience of triumph and guilt). We discuss the implications of having “conflicted minds” for both scientific and well-being pursuits