Emotions in Cognitive Conflicts

Conflicts in the cognitive system of an individual arise when at least two incompatible response tendencies or motivational states are simultaneously active. Emotions are affective, intentional states, including feelings such as happiness, anger, sadness, or surprise, in response to the evaluation of a relevant external or internal event. It has been suggested that cognitive conflicts elicit (negative) emotions. Conversely, emotional states or moods may influence the processing of cognitive conflicts.