Emotions and prior outcomes shape risk propensity and the dynamics of decision making in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task

Abstract Decisions under uncertainty often emerge from the interaction of affective and cognitive processes. Using the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), this study investigated how incidental emotions (happiness, sadness, anger and fear) and prior outcomes shape risk-taking. Sixty-six participants performed the BART while exposed to images evoking emotions or neutral affect. Results revealed that exposure to anger- and fear-evoking stimuli significantly reduced risk-taking, suggesting that these highly arousing negative emotions may disrupt engagement and promote avoidance behaviors. Additionally, participants demonstrated heightened risk propensity and prolonged decision times following a successful trial, indicating a cognitive reframing of subsequent decisions after gains. These findings highlight how emotional and contextual cues jointly shape risky behavior in uncertain environments, advancing our understanding of affect-cognition interplay in decision processes.