What did Wilson and Kraft find about relationship reflections when participants listed reasons for their feelings?

Wilson and Kraft's research highlighted a phenomenon known as the "introspection effect," which occurs when individuals reflect on their feelings and attitudes. Their findings indicated that when participants were asked to list reasons for their feelings about a relationship, they often ended up changing those feelings. This shift can be attributed to the fact that individuals may not have full access to the underlying reasons for their feelings and may generate justifications that do not accurately reflect their true emotions. Consequently, this process of reasoning can lead to a reevaluation of their initial sentiments, resulting in a change in feelings about the relationship.

The aspect of changing feelings is particularly significant in understanding how introspection can influence emotional evaluations. By engaging in analysis, rather than relying on gut feelings or instinctual responses, individuals may arrive at different conclusions about their emotional states. This finding illustrates an essential concept in social psychology about how reflective thinking can alter one's emotional perceptions in relationships.