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Crawford Thesis 6-30-21fixed.pdf (671.93 KB)

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Age Differences in Social Decision-Making: The Role of Discrete Emotions

Crawford, Jennifer
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1625089104773958

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Developmental.
Studies examining age differences in the Ultimatum Game, an economic bargaining game, have produced mixed results regarding which age group is more likely to accept unfair offers. One possible explanation for age differences in the Ultimatum Game is that emotions differentially affect young and older adults’ decision to accept or reject unfair offers. Research has found that emotions play an important role in decision-making, and that discrete emotions may lead to distinct thoughts, actions, and goals. Additionally, studies have shown that older adults rely on emotions to make decisions to a greater extent than younger adults. According to the discrete emotion theory of affective aging (DEA), discrete emotions have different adaptive advantages at different ages (Kunzmann et al., 2014). Specifically, the DEA proposes that anger motivates younger adults to achieve age-normative tasks, while sadness is adaptive in older adulthood, when loss is common and time left to change unfavorable situations is limited. The present study examined discrete emotions experienced by young and older adults during the Ultimatum Game as a possible explanation for age differences in acceptance and rejection decisions in the Ultimatum Game. Young and older adult MTurk workers (n = 113) participated in a modified version of the Ultimatum Game that was designed to increase emotional salience and ecological validity. Young adults reported higher levels of discrete negative emotions, partially supporting the DEA. Interestingly, young adults were also more likely to accept unfair offers in the Ultimatum Game. Anger and disgust were significant predictors of Ultimatum Game decision; however, no significant interactions between age and discrete emotions emerged. Implications and future directions are discussed in light of these findings.
Yiwei Chen, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Richard Anderson, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Dara Musher-Eizenman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
71 p.
Psychology
Social decision making; age; young adults; older adults; dual process model; discrete emotions; Ultimatum Game; UG;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Crawford, J. (2021). Age Differences in Social Decision-Making: The Role of Discrete Emotions [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1625089104773958

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Crawford, Jennifer. Age Differences in Social Decision-Making: The Role of Discrete Emotions. 2021. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1625089104773958.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Crawford, Jennifer. "Age Differences in Social Decision-Making: The Role of Discrete Emotions." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1625089104773958

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1625089104773958
261
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.
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