Performance of a novel task under two conditions of anxiety

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Larry Michael Kich (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Pearl Berlin

Abstract: This study examines the performance of women on a novel fine-motor task, specifically, mirror-tracing, under non-anxious and anxious-induced conditions. Threat of electric shock is used to induce anxiety. Also, this investigation seeks to determine whether A-State is related to heart rate response, and task-performance condition. Initially, 122 female undergraduates at UNC-G volunteered to respond to the A-Trait scale of the STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). On the basis of their A-Trait scores, 46 Ss were classified as HA, and 41 were classified as LA. Those who were classified as moderately-anxious were excluded from further participation in the study. Thus, 87 Ss participated in the experiment. Of these, 23 HA Ss worked in the anxious-induced condition, and the other 23 HA Ss worked in the non-anxious condition. Meanwhile, 21 LA Ss_ worked in the anxious-induced condition, while the remaining 20 LA Ss_ worked in the non-anxious condition. Prior to task performance each S responded to the A-State scale of the STAI. Subsequently, baseline EKG readings were recorded. As each S executed the task, heart rate, number of errors, and time to complete the task were recorded.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 1973

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