Bad moods 'improve judgement'

By Elizabeth Heathcote  on Tuesday 3 November 2009

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Feeling negative can improve judgement and memory, and make you less gullible, say scientists.

A study by Joseph Forgas, psychology professor at the University of New South Wales, found that people who were in a bad mood were more observant and critical of what was happening around them.

Happier people were more likely to believe whatever they were told, reports the Telegraph.

'Whereas positive mood seems to promote creativity, flexibility, cooperation, and reliance on mental shortcuts, negative moods trigger more attentive, careful thinking, paying greater attention to the external world,' says Professor Forgas.

In the research, people in good and bad moods were asked to assess the truth of myths and rumours. Those feeling negative were less likely to believe what they heard.

They were also less likely to make snap decisions based on racial or religious prejudices, and more accurate when recalling an event.

The team induced moods by showing people films, and recalling positive and negative experiences.

They also found that people feeling negative were better at expressing their feelings in writing.

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Tuesday 3 November 2009

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