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The Ups and Downs of Cognitive Function: Neuroticism and Negative Affect Drive Performance Inconsistency
Elizabeth Munoz1, Robert S Stawski2, Martin J Sliwinski3
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside.
The personality trait neuroticism is linked to greater response time inconsistency (RTI), indicating attention lapses. This association is driven by negative emotions, especially in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Personality psychology
Background:
- Response time inconsistency (RTI) reflects attention lapses and cognitive health.
- RTI is a potential early indicator of cognitive aging.
- Few studies explore personality predictors of RTI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between neuroticism and RTI in adults.
- To examine indirect pathways via negative affect (NA) and cognitive interference (CI).
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 317 community-dwelling adults (ages 19-83).
- Assessed neuroticism, NA, and CI.
- Analyzed the relationship between neuroticism and RTI.
Main Results:
- Neuroticism predicted greater RTI, independent of mean response time and demographics.
- Negative affect (NA) mediated the link between neuroticism and RTI.
- Older adults showed increased vulnerability to NA's effects on RTI.
Conclusions:
- Neuroticism is a significant predictor of response time inconsistency.
- Heightened negative emotionality contributes to RTI, particularly in older adults.
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