The feeling of uncertainty intensifies affective reactions.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0014607
• Publication Date: 2009-02-02T20:19:12Z
• Authors: Yoav Bar-Anan; Timothy D. Wilson; Daniel T. Gilbert
• Keywords: Certainty; Affect

Uncertainty has been defined as a lack of information about an event and characterized aversive state that people are motivated to reduce.The authors propose uncertainty intensification hypothesis, whereby during emotional makes unpleasant events more pleasant pleasant.The hypothesized this would happen even when is limited the feeling "not knowing," separable from information.In 4 studies, held positive negative film clips constant while varying not knowing by having repeat phrases connoting certainty or watching films.As predicted, subjective intensified people's affective reactions clips.