Emotional Choices

Why do states often refuse to yield to military threats from a more powerful actor, such as the United States? Why do they frequently prefer war to compliance? International Relations scholars generally employ the rational choice logic of consequences or the constructivist logic of appropriateness to explain this puzzling behavior. Max Weber, however, suggested a third logic of choice in his magnum opus Economy and Society: human decision making can also be motivated by emotions. Drawing on Weber and more recent scholarship in sociology and psychology, Robin Markwica introduces the logic of affect, or emotional choice theory, into the field of International Relations. The logic of affect posits that actors' behavior is shaped by the dynamic interplay among their norms, identities, and five key emotions: fear, anger, hope, pride, and humiliation. Markwica puts forward a series of propositions that specify the affective conditions under which leaders are likely to accept or reject a coercer's demands. To infer emotions and to examine their influence on decision making, he develops a methodological strategy combining sentiment analysis and an interpretive form of process tracing. He then applies the logic of affect to Nikita Khrushchev's behavior during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 and Saddam Hussein's decision making in the Gulf conflict in 1990-1 offering a novel explanation for why U.S. coercive diplomacy succeeded in one case but not in the other.

This book examines coercive diplomacy and presents a theory of 'emotional choice' to analyse how affect enters into decision-making.

Philosophers have long tussled over whether moral judgments are the products of logical reasoning or simply emotional reactions. From Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility to the debates of modern psychologists, the question of whether feeling or sober rationality is the better guide to decision making has been a source of controversy. In Do Emotions Help or Hurt Decision Making? Kathleen Vohs, Roy Baumeister, and George Loewenstein lead a group of prominent psychologists and economists in exploring the empirical evidence on how emotions shape judgments and choices. Researchers on emotion and cognition have staked out many extreme positions: viewing emotions as either the driving force behind cognition or its side effect, either an impediment to sound judgment or a guide to wise decisions. The contributors to Do Emotions Help or Hurt Decision Making? provide a richer perspective, exploring the circumstances that shape whether emotions play a harmful or helpful role in decisions. Roy Baumeister, C. Nathan DeWall, and Liqing Zhang show that while an individual's current emotional state can lead to hasty decisions and self-destructive behavior, anticipating future emotional outcomes can be a helpful guide to making sensible decisions. Eduardo Andrade and Joel Cohen find that a positive mood can negatively affect people's willingness to act altruistically. Happy people, when made aware of risks associated with altruistic acts, become wary of jeopardizing their own well-being. Benoît Monin, David Pizarro, and Jennifer Beer find that whether emotion or reason matters more in moral evaluation depends on the specific issue in question. Individual characteristics often mediate the effect of emotions on decisions. Catherine Rawn, Nicole Mead, Peter Kerkhof, and Kathleen Vohs find that whether an individual makes a decision based on emotion depends both on the type of decision in question and the individual's level of self-esteem. And Quinn Kennedy and Mara Mather show that the elderly are better able to regulate their emotions, having learned from experience to anticipate the emotional consequences of their behavior. Do Emotions Help or Hurt Decision Making? represents a significant advance toward a comprehensive theory of emotions and cognition that accounts for the nuances of the mental processes involved. This landmark book will be a stimulus to scholarly debates as well as an informative guide to everyday decisions.

We’ve all been told that thinking rationally is the key to success. But at the cutting edge of science, researchers are discovering that feeling is every bit as important as thinking. You make hundreds of decisions every day, from what to eat for breakfast to how you should invest, and not one of those decisions would be possible without emotion. It has long been said that thinking and feeling are separate and opposing forces in our behavior. But as Leonard Mlodinow, the best-selling author of Subliminal, tells us, extraordinary advances in psychology and neuroscience have proven that emotions are as critical to our well-being as thinking. How can you connect better with others? How can you make sense of your frustration, fear, and anxiety? What can you do to live a happier life? The answers lie in understanding your emotions. Journeying from the labs of pioneering scientists to real-world scenarios that have flirted with disaster, Mlodinow shows us how our emotions can help, why they sometimes hurt, and what we can learn in both instances. Using deep insights into our evolution and biology, Mlodinow gives us the tools to understand our emotions better and to maximize their benefits. Told with his characteristic clarity and fascinating stories, Emotional explores the new science of feelings and offers us an essential guide to making the most of one of nature’s greatest gifts.

The coauthors of the 3-million-copy bestselling Step series provide practical information and tools to help readers take responsibility for their own emotions. Of particular benefit to those who are depressed, anxious, stressed, or hostile, this step-by-step guide shows how to choose and change feelings.

How satisfied are you with your level of emotional and spiritual maturity? Do you feel discouraged by lack of progress in your spiritual life? Frustrated by failures to follow through on your good intentions? Embarrassed by discrepancies between your outer appearance and inward reality? Stuck in damaging emotionssuch as anger, resentment, and revenge? If yes is your answer to any of these questions, be encouraged. In Emotional Freedom, Jane Ault shows you how to move from the bondage of emotional dysfunction to the freedom of emotional integrity so that you can grow toward spiritual maturity. Stories by those who have moved from anger to self-control, resentment to joy, and revenge to forgiveness inspire you to persevere in your healing journey. The Tree model of emotion expands your understanding of emotion. The dance called Choosing Grace tells you how to cooperate with God so that you can receive his grace and power. Maps of anger, resentment, and revenge help you recognize stages in the development of addictive emotion. Maps of self-control, joy, and mercy show you steps in the pathway to freedom. A study guide listing key concepts, plus questions for reflection and discussion, helps you integrate these new concepts into your everyday life. This gem of a book offers us a key to release the shackles of dysfunction that keep us bound to an immature past. From personal experience and with great insight, compassion, a scriptural foundation, and incisive writing, Jane leads the reader from stoic brokenness to emerging freedom. Carolyn M. White, abd, MA, CASAC Jane writes knowledgeably about recognizing destructive patterns in our lives, understanding the dynamics that fuel them, and moving forward with God to overcome them. Jean Coles, friend and fellow sojourner

Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions—both big and small—have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression. In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice—the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish—becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice—from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs—has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.

"Emotions vs. Reason: Rethinking Decision-Making" delves into the fascinating interplay between our emotional impulses and rational analysis in the process of decision-making. Drawing on cutting-edge research from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics, this ebook offers a thought-provoking exploration of how emotions and reason shape our choices and behaviors. Through a series of engaging chapters, readers will discover the complex dynamics between our intuitive gut reactions and our deliberate, logical thought processes. From understanding the neural mechanisms underlying emotional responses to examining the cognitive biases that influence our rational decision-making, this ebook provides insights into the intricate balance between our heart and our mind. With practical examples, case studies, and actionable strategies, "Emotions vs. Reason" equips readers with the tools to navigate the challenges of decision-making more effectively. Whether you're grappling with personal dilemmas, professional choices, or societal issues, this ebook offers valuable perspectives and techniques for making informed, balanced decisions that align with your goals and values. Whether you're a curious reader seeking to understand the complexities of human behavior or a decision-maker looking to enhance your decision-making skills, "Emotions vs. Reason" offers a compelling journey into the heart and mind of decision-making. Prepare to rethink your approach to choice and discover the power of integrating emotions and reason in your decision-making process.