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Driven, distracted, or both? A performance-based ex-Gaussian analysis of individual differences in anxiety
Konrad Bresin1, Michael D Robinson, Scott Ode
1Psychology Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA. konrad.bresin@ndsu.edu
Journal of Personality
|January 6, 2011
Summary
High anxiety is linked to a specific reaction time pattern: faster on most trials but slower on others. This finding helps reconcile differing views on how anxiety affects performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Personality Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Individual differences in anxiety and distress are established predictors of behavioral performance.
- Existing literature presents conflicting views: anxious individuals are either "driven" or "distracted" performers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconcile discrepant views on the anxiety-performance relationship.
- To investigate reaction time performance tendencies in relation to anxiety levels using an ex-Gaussian model.
Main Methods:
- Conducted three studies with a total of 289 participants (N=289).
- Employed an ex-Gaussian model to parse reaction time performance.
- Analyzed response tendencies in basic cognitive tasks.
Main Results:
- A specific reaction time pattern predicted higher anxiety levels.
- This pattern involved faster responses on most trials (ex-Gaussian μ parameter).
- It also included slower responses on a subset of trials (ex-Gaussian τ parameter).
Conclusions:
- The findings reconcile "driven" vs. "distracted" theories of anxiety and performance.
- Highlights the utility of ex-Gaussian modeling for understanding cognitive processes in personality.
- Offers implications for understanding neuroticism, distress, and the anxiety-performance interface.
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