affective valence

Affective valence refers to the positive or negative emotional value associated with a stimulus, experience, or thought. It indicates whether something feels good or bad to a person. For example, delicious food has a positive valence, making you feel happy or satisfied, while pain has a negative valence, causing discomfort or distress. This concept helps us understand how emotions influence our reactions and preferences. It is a fundamental aspect of emotional experiences, shaping how we respond to different situations and guiding our behavior based on what feels pleasant or unpleasant.