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Coping related variables, cardiac vagal activity and working memory performance under pressure
Emma Mosley1, Sylvain Laborde2, Emma Kavanagh3
1Solent University, Southampton, UK; Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK.
Acta Psychologica
|October 12, 2018
Summary
Resting cardiac vagal activity predicts performance under pressure. Decision reinvestment impacts cardiac vagal activity in low-pressure tasks, while task cardiac vagal activity predicts working memory in high-pressure situations.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Stress Research
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing cognitive performance under varying pressure is crucial.
- Coping mechanisms, emotional intelligence, and psychophysiological responses are key variables.
- Previous research has explored these factors individually, but a combined predictive model is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the predictive role of coping-related variables on cardiac vagal activity and working memory.
- To differentiate predictive roles under low-pressure (LP) and high-pressure (HP) conditions.
- To investigate the interplay between subjective appraisals and objective psychophysiological measures.
Main Methods:
- 49 participants completed trait questionnaires (emotional intelligence, reinvestment) and cognitive tasks.
- Working memory was assessed using the automated span task under LP and HP conditions.
- Cardiac vagal activity was measured at rest, during, and after tasks, alongside self-reported stress and appraisals.
Main Results:
- Resting cardiac vagal activity predicted cardiac vagal activity under pressure.
- Decision reinvestment influenced cardiac vagal activity during cognitive tasks under LP.
- Task cardiac vagal activity predicted working memory performance exclusively under HP.
Conclusions:
- Combining subjective and objective psychophysiological variables enhances performance prediction.
- The predictive models for cardiac vagal activity and working memory differ significantly between LP and HP conditions.
- This integrated approach is essential for a comprehensive understanding of performance under stress.
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