How negative emotions influence arithmetic performance: a comparison of young and older adults

Abstract We investigated the influence of negative emotions on arithmetic problem-solving performance and age-related differences therein. Participants were asked to verify complex multiplication problems that either true (e.g., 4 × 26 = 104) or false 5 41 201). Half five 28 140) half non-five 6 36 216). False violated five-rule, parity-rule, both rules, no rule. Problems preceded by emotionally neutral pictures. For problems, impaired while verifying in young adults only older only. influenced adults’ both-rule no-rule violation but not when parity-rule five-rule problems. Negative did whichever they solved. These findings suggest may change mechanisms participants use solve via different mechanisms.