Which of the following best describes how emotions can help with thinking?

• A. Emotions only affect physical responses and do not influence mental processes.
• B. Emotions can guide decision-making by highlighting what is important or relevant in a situation.
• C. Emotions have no impact on cognitive processes such as attention or memory.
• D. Emotions always interfere with logical reasoning and prevent effective problem-solving.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of emotions in cognition by recognizing that emotions are not just physical reactions but also influence mental processes such as attention, memory, and decision-making.
2. Step 2: Consider how emotions can act as signals that highlight what is important or relevant in a given situation, thereby guiding focus and prioritization during thinking.
3. Step 3: Reflect on research findings in psychology that show emotions can enhance decision-making by providing quick assessments of situations based on past experiences and current feelings.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the incorrect options by noting that emotions do affect cognitive processes and do not always interfere with logical reasoning; instead, they can support effective problem-solving.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description is that emotions help thinking by guiding decision-making through emphasizing important or relevant information in a situation.