Author: Jessica Howe
Howe, Jessica, 2024 The role of attention control in biased attention for internal and external threats in trait anxiety, Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
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Anxiety is associated with biased attention to threatening stimuli and negative thoughts. This thesis investigated whether the ability to direct attention, known as attention control, could explain why some people become stuck on threat, while others avoid it. The findings across three studies indicated a complex relationship, but overall, suggested attention control may act as a double-edged sword by exacerbating avoidance and perpetuating anxiety. The research also highlighted the challenge individuals face in accurately identifying their thoughts. This emphasises the need for improved measures and procedures to enhance thought recognition and identification in both clinical and experimental contexts.
Keywords: trait anxiety, attention control, attention bias, thought suppression
Subject: Psychology thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2024
School: College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Supervisor: Julie Mattiske