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Does Happiness Raise Test Scores? Does Fear Lower Them? Experimental Evidence

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  • Charles N. Noussair
  • Kierstin Seaback

Abstract

In this paper, we consider whether emotional state affects test performance using a new experiment. Happiness and fear are induced with 360-degree videos shown in virtual reality before participants take a test consisting of Mathematics SAT questions. The results show that scores improve by .48 standard deviations under the Happiness condition, and the effect is particularly large for women (.75 s.d.). Inducing fear has no effect on test scores.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles N. Noussair & Kierstin Seaback, 2022. "Does Happiness Raise Test Scores? Does Fear Lower Them? Experimental Evidence," Experimental Economics Center Working Paper Series 2022-05, Experimental Economics Center, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    • Handle: RePEc:exc:wpaper:2022-05
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    File URL: http://excen.gsu.edu/workingpapers/GSU_EXCEN_WP_2022-05.pdf
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    1. Maykel Verkuyten & Jochem Thijs, 2002. "School Satisfaction of Elementary School Children: The Role of Performance, Peer Relations, Ethnicity and Gender," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 203-228, August.
    2. Carmel Proctor & P. Linley & John Maltby, 2010. "Very Happy Youths: Benefits of Very High Life Satisfaction Among Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 98(3), pages 519-532, September.
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    2. Drouvelis, Michalis & Grosskopf, Brit, 2026. "The effects of induced emotions on punishment and reward," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 330-347.
    3. Daniel Gotsman & Charles N. Noussair & Yiwei Qu, 2026. "Emotions and market activity: Cause or consequence?," Experimental Economics Center Working Paper Series 2026-01, Experimental Economics Center, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

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