Intrusive Thought and Relativity Associated with Task Performance
Abstract
This dissertation research examined the occurrence of intrusive thoughts and reactivity during task performance. Intrusive thoughts were investigated in both the state and trait format and reactivity included changes in heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures during the task. Sixty subjects, 30 female and 30 male, were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received printed instructions for the completion of an anagram task. The other group received these same instructions and additional instructions indicating that the task was related to intelligence and should be successfully completed by most college students of average intelligence. Subjects then completed the anagram task, during which heart rate and blood pressure readings measurements were taken. Baseline and post-taskheart rate and blood pressure measures were also taken to allow examination of reactivity during the task. After completing the task, subjects completed a battery ofquestionnaires that measured mood, intrusive thoughts (state and trait) , psychological and physical symptoms, and life events. Analyses revealed that the conditions under which the task was performed (instruction-only vs. performance-instruction) had no reliable effects on task performance or reactivity . The trait measure of intrusive thought was related to the level of "task-related interference" reported during the task (state measure), however neither of these measureswere related to reactivity or task performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 23, 1995
- Accession Number
- AD1011444
Entities
People
- Karrie J. Craig
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences