Cognitive-emotional dysfunction among noisy minds: predictions from individual differences in reaction time...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Individual Differences
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Mental noise, characterized by unreliable information processing, is hypothesized to negatively impact cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions.
• Previous research suggests individuals with higher mental noise may face various disadvantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the disadvantages associated with mental noise in a sample of college undergraduates.
• To examine the relationship between mental noise and cognitive control, behavioral regulation, emotional experiences, and depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Five studies (N=298) were conducted with college undergraduates.
• Mental noise was operationalized using the reaction time coefficient of variation (RTCV), a measure of reaction time variability.
• Cognitive control, behavior, emotional experiences, and depressive symptoms were assessed.

Main Results:

• Higher RTCV (indicating greater mental noise) was associated with less effective cognitive control.
• Individuals with higher RTCV demonstrated less controlled behavior and were more prone to negative emotional experiences.
• Higher RTCV correlated with increased depressive symptoms and greater adverse effects from attentional lapses.

Conclusions:

• Mental noise, operationalized as RTCV, is an important individual difference dimension.
• Elevated mental noise is linked to multiple adverse correlates, including impaired cognitive control, behavioral regulation, and emotional well-being.
• These findings highlight the pervasive impact of mental noise on various aspects of functioning.