喜怒无常是好事？情绪多变适应力更强
Sudden changes in emotion may help us adapt to an ever changing world
Moody people are often baffling to those of us with steadier emotions.
喜怒无常的人常常令情绪稳定的人感到困惑.
But scientists argue that changing moods – as seen in sulking teenagers, grumpy spouses, or bad-tempered parents - serve an important purpose.
但科学家认为情绪多变——多见于阴郁的青少年,爱发牢骚的配偶,或者暴脾气的父母——其实有它的重要目的.
Rather than being a weakness, they are nature's way to of helping us adapt to an ever changing world. So when times are good and spirits are high, we take more risks at a time they are likely to be rewarded.
这不是缺点,而是帮助我们适应瞬息万变的世界的自然方式.
And when times are tough, sulking can help us conserve our energy.
当万事顺意、志得意满时,我们更倾向于去冒风险,因为我们觉得自己很可能会得到回报.当时局艰难时,阴郁的情绪可以帮我们保存能量.
To take a human example, a stock market trader who makes a successful deal becomes more optimistic about the outcome of his next transaction.
举人类为例,股市交易者大赚一笔时,他对下一笔交易将会信心满满.
He is then likely to take more risks – as he becomes more optimistic things will go in his or her favour.
他会倾向于冒更多险,因为他乐观地期待事情会顺遂心意.
The increase in risk taking allows him to make maximum gains at a time when risk taking is most likely to pay off.
