Going Beyond Information Given: How Approach Versus Avoidance Cues Influence Access to Higher Order Information

Three experiments examine the hypothesis that subtle cues of approach orientation facilitate access to higher order information, whereas subtle cues of avoidance orientation impede it. To test these predictions, in two studies, a backward-masking paradigm thought to measure access to higher order information at early perceptual stages was used, and arm positions of arm flexion versus arm extension were unobtrusively manipulated to induce interoceptive approach or avoidance situations. In a third study, using a procedural priming paradigm, exteroceptive cues associated with benign versus danger situations were manipulated and metaphor understanding served as a dependent variable. As predicted, although the diverse manipulations did not elicit different mood states, interoceptive and exteroceptive approach cues enhanced going beyond the information given, whereas avoidance cues impaired it. Implications are discussed.