Psychologists at the University of Virginia (USA) suggested that a pleasant event will bring more pleasure if we do not know in advance its outcome.
In a situation of uncertainty, our negative emotions are exacerbated. And joyful? Psychologists at the University of Virginia (USA) suggested that a pleasant event (for example, a football game) will bring more pleasure if we do not know its outcome in advance. The participants in the experiment watched unfamiliar movie clips and at the same time uttered the phrases: “What would that mean?”, “I wonder what will happen next” or, conversely, “I understand what is happening”, “Everything is clear”. Those who doubted that they accurately understood what was happening on the screen were later more categorical in their assessments. Film plots that were unpleasant for them to watch seemed “too heavy”, “disgusting”, and pleasant ones evoked equally strong, but positive emotions. Consequently, the subjective feeling of ignorance and uncertainty sharpens our perception, making both positive and negative emotions more vivid.