Understanding the Psychology of People Who Decide Whether to Keep Promises Based on Their Mood.

Some people make promises with firm resolve but decide whether to fulfill them based on their mood. It can be hard to understand what motivates such inconsiderate behavior.

 

The psychology behind this tendency is rooted in complex interactions between human behavior and emotions. These actions are largely influenced by emotional factors, personality traits, past experiences, and social environments. In this blog post, we’ll explore the psychology behind this behavior, why it happens, and how we can better understand it from an expert perspective.

 

The psychology of people who decide whether to keep promises based on mood is complex, involving a mixture of emotional, personality, and social factors.

 

The Link Between Mood and Decision-Making

Mood plays a significant role in a person's judgment and decision-making. Positive emotions boost self-esteem and confidence, often leading to more proactive and sociable decisions. Conversely, negative moods can trigger self-protective and avoidant behaviors. People who decide whether to keep promises based on their mood tend to adjust their decisions according to how they feel.

 

This decision-making process can be explained by what is known as "emotional heuristics." This concept refers to a tendency to simplify complex situations by relying on emotions. For example, when keeping a promise feels bothersome or difficult, especially during moments of negative emotions, individuals may decide not to follow through.

 

The Choice Between Immediate Gratification and Delayed Reward

The psychological concepts of "immediate gratification" and "delayed reward" are key to understanding the mindset of those who base their promises on mood. Keeping a promise often requires a person to delay gratification, such as building trust or maintaining long-term relationships at the cost of short-term discomfort.

 

However, people who choose not to fulfill promises based on their mood tend to seek immediate gratification. When they are in a bad mood, they prioritize their current emotional state, feeling that keeping a promise is too uncomfortable at the moment. This is common among individuals with lower self-control or a reduced ability to delay rewards.

 

Emotion Avoidance and Self-Defense Mechanisms

Those who base their promises on their mood often engage in emotional avoidance or use self-defense mechanisms. By not fulfilling a promise, they attempt to avoid negative emotions and instinctively escape from uncomfortable situations. For example, failing to keep a promise when in a bad mood may be an unconscious choice to avoid discomfort.

 

Additionally, this behavior can be a form of self-defense. Keeping a promise while in a bad mood could lead to greater emotional stress. Therefore, individuals may choose not to fulfill promises as a way to protect themselves from further emotional burden or stress.

 

Personality Traits and Emotion Regulation

The psychology of those who make decisions based on mood is closely related to their personality traits, particularly their ability to regulate emotions. People with strong emotional regulation skills tend to manage their emotions well and react appropriately to situations. Even when in a bad mood, they can control their emotions and fulfill promises with long-term goals in mind.

 

On the other hand, people with poor emotional regulation are more likely to be swayed by their feelings. They tend to break promises when they are in a bad mood, reflecting impulsive and irrational tendencies. These individuals often react immediately based on their current emotional state, rather than considering long-term consequences.

 

Social Influence and the Importance of Relationships

Deciding whether to keep promises based on mood is also tied to social context. People often consider the expectations of others and societal norms when making decisions. Keeping a promise plays a crucial role in maintaining trust and relationships, which can serve as strong motivators for many.

 

However, individuals who don't keep promises based on mood are often less sensitive to these social norms. They focus on their emotional state and are more likely to disregard social expectations. This reflects a tendency to prioritize personal feelings over relationships, with a lack of responsibility or the belief that others will tolerate their broken promises.

 

Psychological Impact and Self-Awareness

The psychological patterns of people who decide whether to keep promises based on mood are also linked to self-awareness. They often rationalize their behavior. For instance, they may think, "It’s okay to break the promise because I’m in a bad mood," which helps them ease their psychological burden. While this self-justification may help maintain self-esteem, it can have long-term negative effects on relationships.

 

Additionally, those who break promises based on their mood may lack awareness of how their emotions influence their decisions. They might not recognize—or may intentionally ignore—the impact of their emotions on fulfilling commitments.

 

Solutions: Improving Emotional Awareness and Self-Control

To improve the behavior of those who decide whether to fulfill promises based on mood, enhancing emotional awareness and self-control is crucial. First, recognizing and managing emotions appropriately is essential. Techniques like meditation, psychological counseling, or keeping an emotional journal can be helpful.

 

Second, strengthening self-control is another key task. People with strong self-control are less swayed by their emotions and tend to exhibit more consistent behavior in planning and carrying out their actions. Even if keeping a promise feels inconvenient in the short term, they are more likely to fulfill it for the sake of long-term relationships and building trust.

 

Conclusion

The psychology of people who decide whether to keep promises based on mood is complex, involving a mixture of emotional, personality, and social factors. Their behavior can be explained by emotional heuristics, the pursuit of immediate gratification, and self-defense mechanisms. Understanding this psychology, along with improving emotional awareness and self-control, can help promote more consistent promise-keeping behavior.