To punish first and reward second: Values determine how reward and punishment affect risk-taking behavior

The current study investigated whether manipulating participants’ pre-exposure to reward and punishment affects the extent to which sensation seeking and values predict risk-taking behavior. Participants (n = 195) were randomly allocated to one of two conditions, defined by the order at which they were rewarded or punished for risk-taking behavior. Risk-taking behavior was measured in both conditions using the Balloon Analogue Risk Test, however this was set-up such that participants in group 1 were rewarded for risk-taking behavior prior to being punished, whereas participants in group 2 were punished for risk-taking behavior prior to being rewarded. Participants also completed questionnaires designed to measure sensation seeking and the values of ‘stimulation’ (the need for novelty and excitement) and ‘hedonism’ (the need for sensuous pleasure). It was found that stimulation predicted risk taking behavior in the ‘reward-then-punishment’ condition, whereas hedonism predicted risk-taking behavior in the ‘punishment-then-reward’ condition. Sensation-seeking was found to be an indirect predictor of risk-taking behavior in both conditions. It is tentatively concluded that the extent to which an individual’s risk-taking behavior is guided by their values (hedonism, stimulation) largely depends on their prior exposure to the order of contingent reward and punishment

The intervening role of agreeableness in the relationshp between trait emotional intelligence and Machiavellianism: reassessing the potential dark side of EI

Previous research into the potential ‘dark’ side of trait emotional intelligence (EI) has repeatedly demonstrated that trait EI is negatively associated with Machiavellianism. In this study, we reassess the potential dark side of trait EI, by testing whether Agreeableness mediates and/or moderates the relationship between trait EI and Machiavellianism. Hypothesized mediation and moderation effects were tested using a large sample of 884 workers who completed several self-report questionnaires. Results provide support for both hypotheses; Agreeableness was found to mediate and moderate the relationship between trait EI and Machiavellianism. Overall, results indicate that individuals high in trait EI tend to have low levels of Machiavellianism because they generally have a positive nature (i.e. are agreeable) and not because they are emotionally competent per se. Results also indicate that individuals high in ‘perceived emotional competence’ have the potential to be high in Machiavellianism, particularly when they are low in Agreeableness

The role of emotional intelligence and personality in moral reasoning

In this study we investigated the potential role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Moral Reasoning (MR). A sample of 131undergraduate students completed a battery of psychological tests, which included measures of Emotional Intelligence, Moral Reasoning and the Big Five dimensions of personality. Results demonstrated support for a proposed model of the relationship between Emotional Intelligence, personality and Moral Reasoning. Specifically, Emotional Intelligence was found to be a significant predictor of four of the Big Five personality dimensions (Extraversion, Openness, Neuroticism, Agreeableness), which in turn were significant predictors of Moral Reasoning. These results have important implications in regards to our current understanding of the relationships between Emotional Intelligence, Moral Reasoning and personality. We emphasize the need to incorporate the constructs of Emotional Intelligence and Moral Reasoning into a broader, explanatory personality framework. ISBN: 978192151366