From Fear to Flow

9

Positive emotionality

Introduction

In all our experiences there is a constant interplay between cognition and emotion, although at times one or the other may be more dominating, visible or influential. We may perform a purely cognitive work task, but we can never escape from the emotional context surrounding it. The day we get promoted we may perform optimally (if not distracted by joy and assuming that we appreciate the promotion). The day we are fired, however, the concentration level may be somewhat different. Similarly, positive or negative moods may influence information seeking.

Information seeking may appear as a predominantly cognitive endeavor. Emotional aspects are never far from the experience, however, but instead are constantly ...