Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Attentional interference effects of emotional pictures: threat, negativity, or arousal?
Ulrich Schimmack1, Douglas Derryberry
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada. uli.schimmack@utoronto.ca
Abstract:
Attentional interference arising from emotional pictures was examined. Participants had to ignore emotional pictures while solving math problems (Study 1, N = 126) or detecting the location of a line (Study 2, N = 60). Data analyses tested predictions of 3 theories. Evolutionary threat theory predicts interference by snake pictures. Categorical negativity theory predicts interference by negative pictures regardless of their intensity. According to arousal theory, arousal level predicts interference effects. The results supported arousal theory, with the most arousing pictures (strong unpleasant pictures, oppositesex models) producing the strongest interference. The findings are interpreted in the context of process models of emotions that postulate an initial relevance check before further processing of valence and other appraisal dimensions.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Perception
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
Cognitive Theories: Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion
Physiological Arousal and Cognitive Labeling
According to this theory, when an individual experiences physiological...
The Influence of Cognition on Affect
The Influence of Affect on Cognition
Role of Affect in Interpersonal Attraction
Psychological Responses to Stress

