Emotions affect how we think and behave and should be better incorporated into theories and frameworks of the policy process. Most research on emotions in the policy process relies on a dimensional model of emotions. However, over the past 20 years, research has found that dimensional approaches are limited compared to using categories of emotions. This article discusses theories of emotion, focusing on the theory of constructed emotion, and how emotion is studied in politics and policy. It then discusses the characteristics of enthusiasm, anger and fear, as well as the effects these emotions have on attention and information processing, risk perception, judgement and persuasion, and political participation and group behaviour. The article concludes by exploring how these emotions can be used by theories and frameworks of the policy process to better understand how emotions have an impact on attention to public problems, judging target populations and characters, and mobilise advocacy coalitions.
Risk Perception and Information Processing: The Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Self-Reported Information Processing