INTERACTION OF THE BRAIN’S AFFECTIVE SYSTEM AND WORKING MEMORY IN RAPID DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

The interaction between the brain’s affective system and working memory in rapid decision-making is a relevant area of contemporary psychology, as the integration of emotional and cognitive mechanisms determines an individual’s ability to act effectively under time constraints. The acceleration of daily life, increasing complexity of communication environments, and the growing number of situations requiring immediate response highlight the need to understand how emotional states influence the capacity, stability, and efficiency of working memory. Understanding these mechanisms allows for a deeper comprehension of the nature of rapid decisions and their dependence on the balance between affective and executive processes. This article aims to summarize approaches to studying the interaction between the affective system and working memory and to identify the characteristics of their influence on rapid decision-making. The study employs methods of analysis, synthesis of scientific research, comparison of different theoretical frameworks, and a structural-functional approach to examining the relationships between emotional processes and components of working memory. Analysis of the literature indicates that the affective system significantly influences attentional mechanisms and the preliminary processing of information, providing a foundation for the subsequent recruitment of working memory resources. Emotional activation may accelerate sensorimotor responses and facilitate more efficient decision-making in simple or routine situations; however, excessive intensity of affective activation can disrupt cognitive stability, limit working memory resources, and reduce the accuracy of cognitive task performance. Key factors that determine the nature of affect–working memory interactions are identified, along with their impact on the dynamics of rapid decisions. It is established that rapid decision-making emerges from the interaction of affective activation and cognitive control, and that the balance between these processes determines response effectiveness. Emotional states play a dual role: they can mobilize attention and enhance action efficiency, but under conditions of excessive cognitive load they are capable of reducing the accuracy of decision-making. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interconnections between emotional and cognitive processes and open avenues for further research in decision-making psychology.