A Study of Affective Contrast
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An agreeable experience feels more pleasurable when a disagreeable one came before it.
“Similarly, the pleasure of an agreeable experience is heightened if it is preceded by a disagreeable experience, and an impression in itself unpleasant may be felt as pleasant if a more unpleasant state has been its antecedent.”
From A novel theory of experiential avoidance in generalized anxiety disorder: A review and synthesis of research supporting a contrast avoidance model of worry (2011) · cites this paper as Bacon, Rood, & Washburn, 1914
A pleasant stimulus before an unpleasant one can make the unpleasant experience feel stronger.
“For example, an experience of unpleasantness can be heightened via contrast with a preceding pleasant stimulus.”
From A novel theory of experiential avoidance in generalized anxiety disorder: A review and synthesis of research supporting a contrast avoidance model of worry (2011) · cites this paper as Bacon, Rood, & Washburn, 1914
Something unpleasant on its own can feel pleasant if an even more unpleasant state came first.
“Similarly, the pleasure of an agreeable experience is heightened if it is preceded by a disagreeable experience, and an impression in itself unpleasant may be felt as pleasant if a more unpleasant state has been its antecedent.”
From A novel theory of experiential avoidance in generalized anxiety disorder: A review and synthesis of research supporting a contrast avoidance model of worry (2011) · cites this paper as Bacon, Rood, & Washburn, 1914
Affective contrast theory holds that how an emotional experience affects us depends on how much it contrasts with the prior emotional state.
“This theory states that the impact of an emotional experience is contingent on its degree of contrast with a preceding emotional state (Bacon, Rood, & Washburn, 1914).”
From A novel theory of experiential avoidance in generalized anxiety disorder: A review and synthesis of research supporting a contrast avoidance model of worry (2011) · cites this paper as Bacon, Rood, & Washburn, 1914
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Newman, M. G., Llera, S. J., Erickson, T. M., Przeworski, A., & Castonguay, L. G. (2013) · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050212-185544 · Cited by 472 · see citing works
Priming, prototypicality, and preference.
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Llera, S. J., & Newman, M. G. (2014) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2013.12.011 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
The surprising upsides of worry
Sweeny, K., & Dooley, M. D. (2017) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12311 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Disconfirmed Hedonic Expectations Produce Perceptual Contrast, Not Assimilation
Zellner, D. A., Strickhouser, D., & Tornow, C. (2004) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/4149006 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
When you see it coming: Stressor anticipation modulates stress effects on negative affect.
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Effects of positive mood on attention broadening for self-related information
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CONTEXTUAL SHIFTS IN HEDONIC JUDGMENTS
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Newman, M. G., Schwob, J. T., Rackoff, G. N., Doren, N. V., Shin, K. E., & Kim, H. (2022) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102634 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Remembered Utility of Unpleasant and Pleasant Learning Experiences: Is All Well that Ends Well?
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BEHAVIORAL CONTRAST DURING MULTIPLE AVOIDANCE SCHEDULES1
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The Role of Mindfulness and Contrast Avoidance in Individuals' Attitudes Toward Psychotherapy
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- Authors
- Bacon, M. M., Rood, E. A., & Washburn, M. F.
- ORCID
- Washburn, M. F.
- Venue
- The American Journal of Psychology
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press
- Published
- 1914-04
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 290
- ISSN
- 0002-9556 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2316691299
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The American Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Color perception and design
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Keywords
- emotional responses
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