Perceived utility of emotion: The structure and construct validity of the Perceived Affect Utility Scale in a cross-ethnic sample.

Abstract

This study introduces a new measure of the perceived utility of emotion, which is the degree to which emotions are perceived to be useful in achieving goals. In this study, we administered this new measure, the Perceived Affect Utility Scale (PAUSe), to a sample of 142 European American and 156 East Asian American college students. Confirmatory factor analyses provided support for a new, culturally informed parsing of emotion and for perceived utility of emotion to be distinguishable from ideal affect, a related but separate construct. Next, we explored the potential importance of perceived utility of emotion in cultural research. Through path analyses, we found that: (a) culturally relevant variables (e.g., independence) played a mediating role in the link between ethnic group and perceived utility of emotion; and (b) perceived utility of emotion played a mediating role in the link between culturally relevant variables and ideal affect. In particular, perceived utility of self-centered emotions (e.g., pride) was found to be associated with independence and ideal affect of those same emotions. In contrast, perceived utility of other-centered emotions (e.g., appreciation) was found to be associated with interdependence, dutifulness/self-discipline, and ideal affect of those same emotions. Implications for perceived utility of emotion in understanding cultural factors are discussed.

The Role of Perceived Utility of Emotion in Interpersonal Sensitivity and Depression

“…In the current research we differentiated emotions on the bases of the following two dimensions: (a) positive versus negative valence; and (b) self-centered versus other-centered (Chow & Berenbaum, 2012). Our decision to parse emotions based on positive versus negative valence is based on a wealth of emotion research demonstrating the stability and robustness of this dimension (e.g., Feldman Barrett & Russell, 1999;Russell, 1991;wierzbicka, 1992).…”

“…Although perceptions of emotional utility, like virtually all emotion variables, can be context-specific (e.g., Tamir et al, 2007), research has also found that they are linked to stable factors, such as personality traits (e.g., Chow & Berenbaum, 2012;Tamir, 2005Tamir, , 2009Tamir & Ford, 2012). For example, individuals high in certain personality traits (e.g., neuroticism) will choose to increase their level of specific emotional states (e.g., worry) because doing so provides utilitarian benefits (e.g., being aware of threat; Tamir, 2005).…”

“…Our decision to parse emotions according to the dimension of self-centered versus other-centered is based on emotion research demonstrating: (a) the importance of differentiating the self from others (e.g., Kitayama, Markus, & Kurokawa, 2000;Ortony, Clore, & Collins, 1988); and (b) that whereas some emotions (e.g., pride) serve to inflate one's esteem and promote one's independence (i.e., self-centered emotions), other emotions (e.g., appreciation) serve to keep one's esteem in check and to promote interdependence (i.e., other-centered emotions; Adler & Fagley, 2005;Chow & Berenbaum, 2012;Haidt, 2003;Kitayama et al, 2000;Tangney, Stuewig, & Mashek, 2007). Further, given the wealth of research highlighting the importance of interpersonal functioning in the etiology and maintenance of depression, it would appear important to examine a conceptualization of emotion that accounts for this dynamic.…”

“…In the current research we examined the potential role of perceptions of the usefulness of emotions (i.e., perceived utility of emotion) in understanding depression. Perceived utility of emotion is defined as the degree to which emotions are believed to be useful in goal attainment (Chow & Berenbaum, 2012).…”

“…The Perceived Affect Utility Scale (PAUSe; Chow & Berenbaum, 2012) was used to measure perceived utility of emotions. Because we theorize that for an emotion to be considered useful it must facilitate the attainment of multiple goals that are relevant to the individual, participants were first asked to take a minute to list as many goals and expectations as they could think of (this portion served only as a prime for awareness of goals).…”