EN
Two studies on the emotion – cognition relationship refer to a particular taxonomy of human emotions (Jarymowicz & Imbir, 2010). This taxonomy distinguishes the automatic (homeostatic and hedonic) vs. reflective (due to cognitive self-standards and axiological concepts) emotions. It has been assumed that the diffusive and holistic automatic emotions (contrary to reflective emotions specifically connected with a particular stimulus – see Zajonc, 1980, 2000) reduce ability to cognitive control and attention selectivity. The hypothesis predicted that manipulation of automatic emotions will lead to the lower level of performance in the Emotional Stroop Task than manipulation of the reflective emotions. In two studies (with participation of students of Warsaw universities; n1=90, n2=70) participants had to name colors of neutral words or words selected as labels of different types of negative vs. positive emotions: automatic and reflective ones. In both studies the level of performance was lower in conditions of exposition of labels of the automatic emotions than the reflective ones. The level of performance was similar for negative and positive emotions.