Emotions play a role in rationally-flawed thinking and behaviour, for example, such as feelings of sexual jealousy when an actor in its grip is made to see the world in a distorted way and may grossly overestimate the charms of the person who is the focus of their obsession. While with depression the future is seen in gloomier terms than is really warranted, in contrast to feelings of elation which generate overoptimism.

As a result of the interposition of such emotions people may have the concentration which is needed for rational decision-making disrupted. It has been found that any high level of emotion is detrimental to the careful consideration of different alternatives and weighing or interpreting pieces of evidence. A lover pursuing the object of his or her infatuation is unlikely to pause and assess whether their “darling’s” vices outweigh the readily recognizable superficial virtues, let alone whether the sought-after liaison might contribute to any fulfilment of longer-term priorities such as enjoying a stable, mutually-supportive, and satisfying relationship.

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