Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
12:12
Irrelevant Stimuli and Action Control: Analyzing the Influence of Ignored Stimuli via the Distractor-Response Binding Paradigm
Published on: May 14, 2014
11.1K
Contextual Influences on Distress Intolerance: Priming Effects on Behavioral Persistence
Kristin L Szuhany1, Michael W Otto1
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., 5 Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, United States.
Cognitive Therapy and Research
|September 15, 2015
Summary
Distress intolerance (DI), the inability to tolerate stress, can be influenced by context. This study found that priming concepts of "Brevity" led to quicker task termination, showing context matters for DI measures.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatric Research
Background:
- Distress intolerance (DI) is the inability to tolerate stressful experiences.
- DI is linked to psychiatric conditions and maladaptive coping.
- DI measures show variability due to contextual factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how context influences behavioral persistence in relation to self-reported DI.
- To investigate the effect of priming concepts of "Interminability" and "Brevity" on DI.
- To understand variability in DI measures by considering trait-like and contextual factors.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed self-report measures of DI.
- Context was manipulated by priming concepts of "Interminability" and "Brevity".
- Behavioral persistence was measured using a cold-pressor task.
Main Results:
- Priming "Brevity" was associated with quicker termination of the cold-pressor task.
- Higher self-reported DI was linked to earlier task termination.
- No interaction was found between self-reported DI and the priming condition.
Conclusions:
- Contextual cues significantly modulate performance on behavioral measures of distress intolerance.
- Models of DI should incorporate both trait-like and situational influences.
- Understanding contextual effects is crucial for interpreting variability in DI assessments.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
357
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
357
01:20Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory
2.7K
Cognitive psychologist Richard Lazarus proposed the cognitive-mediational theory of emotions, which emphasizes how individuals' assessments of stressors significantly affect their experience of stress. According to Lazarus, the stress response is determined by a two-step appraisal process: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. These cognitive appraisals help individuals evaluate the potential impact of a stressor and determine the adequacy of their coping resources.
Primary Appraisal:...
Primary Appraisal:...
2.7K
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
292
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
292
00:52Social Proof
32.6K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
32.6K
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
814
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
814
01:09First Impression
363
First impressions play a crucial role in social perception, shaping how individuals assess others in professional, academic, and interpersonal contexts. Psychological research highlights the significance of cognitive biases, such as the primacy and recency effects, which influence how people interpret and recall information.The Primacy Effect and Cognitive AnchoringThe primacy effect describes the tendency for initial information to impact judgment disproportionately. When individuals encounter...
363