title: A subtle threat cue, heart rate variability, and cognitive performance.
abstract: This research was designed to extend the literature on heart rate variability (HRV) in cognitive performance contexts by examining whether a subtle threat cue (the color red) in a test environment influences HRV reactivity and whether HRV reactivity is associated with change in cognitive performance. Thirty-three participants took an IQ test, briefly viewed red or a chromatic or achromatic control color, and then took a parallel form of the IQ test. High frequency (HF)-HRV (often referred to as respiratory sinus arrhythmia), was assessed before and after the color manipulation. Results indicated that participants who viewed red (relative to a control color) exhibited a decrease in HF-HRV and that decreased HF-HRV was associated with worse IQ performance. These findings demonstrate the sensitivity of HRV as an index of effective and efficient emotion regulation in an achievement context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14620, USA. andye@psych.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Payen
authors.forename: Jeanick
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brisswalter
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cury
authors.forename: Julian F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Thayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003116:Color; D003463:Cues; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012119:Respiration