Effects of Emotional Priming on Visual Threat Detection

Abstract

Research on the effects of negative emotions on risky decision making has shown that emotions significantly impact the perception of risk; anger reduces perceived risk and increases optimism whereas fear heightens perceived risk and reduces optimism. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of three negative emotions on airport security screeners. Participants (n = 100) performed a simulated airline luggage screening task after being ‘primed’ with three emotion-inducing stimuli – anger, fear, and sorrow. Results revealed that with sufficient practice, fear and sorrow induced appropriate levels of liberal responding thereby increasing hit rates but not false alarms. However, anger increased false alarms without a corresponding increase in hits. Sensitivities were not impacted significantly by emotional state. The results of this research have implications for developing training solutions to optimize decision making of security personnel.