Anxiety and cognitive performance: attentional control theory.
Attentional control theory is an approach to anxiety and cognition representing a major development of Eysenck and Calvo's (1992) processing efficiency theory. It is assumed that anxiety impairs efficient functioning of the goal-directed attentional system and increases the extent to which processing is influenced by the stimulus-driven attentional system. In addition to decreasing attentional control, anxiety increases attention to threat-related stimuli. Adverse effects of anxiety on processing efficiency depend on two central executive functions involving attentional control: inhibition and shifting. However, anxiety may not impair performance effectiveness (quality of performance) when it leads to the use of compensatory strategies (e.g., enhanced effort; increased use of processing resources). Directions for future research are discussed.
Eysenck
Michael W
MW
Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, United Kingdom. m.eysenck@rhul.ac.uk
Derakshan
Nazanin
N
Santos
Rita
R
Calvo
Manuel G
MG
D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D004526:Efficiency; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011340:Problem Solving; D011930:Reaction Time