Effects of Negative Emotions on Cognitive Schemas

Abstract

The present study investigates the effect of negative emotions (focusing on disappointment, sadness and regret) on cognitive schemas. The sample consist in students from the University of Bucharest (convenience groups). A univariate unifactorial experimental design was used, as the current study had one independent variable, negative emotions, and a dependent variable, cognitive schemas, which was measured with the Core Beliefs Questionnaire instrument. We applied T test for independent samples, using SPSS. The t test was statistically significant, t (45) = 2.57, p <0.05. The confidence interval (95%) for the difference between the averages is between 2.95 and 24.35. After applying the intervention, the evaluated sample (M = 43.17, SD = 29,074) showed a statistically significant difference compared to the control group (M = 29.52, SD = 11.257). The data collected support the main research hypothesis of the study, negative emotions can bring about changes in certain cognitive schemas by modifying, altering or disrupting them.