How Motivation Affects Enemy Detection
Author Information
Author(s): Becker D. Vaughn, Mortensen Chad R., Ackerman Joshua M., Shapiro Jenessa R., Anderson Uriah S., Sasaki Takao, Maner Jon K., Neuberg Steven L., Kenrick Douglas T.
Primary Institution: Arizona State University
Hypothesis
How do ecology-relevant motivational states affect the detection of enemies and allies?
Conclusion
Self-protection enhances accuracy in detecting enemies, while revenge-mindedness decreases it.
Supporting Evidence
- Self-protection motivation enhanced accuracy in detecting enemies.
- Revenge-mindedness decreased overall accuracy of judgments.
- Participants were biased to label angry faces as enemies.
Takeaway
This study shows that when people feel threatened, they are better at spotting enemies, but when they want revenge, they make more mistakes.
Methodology
Participants were primed with self-protection or revenge scenarios and then asked to identify faces as enemies or friends based on insignias.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in identifying faces based on ethnicity and expression.
Limitations
Participants were students and may not represent soldiers in real combat situations.
Participant Demographics
249 students (86 women) who identified as not being of Arabic or Middle Eastern background.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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