The Stroop task and attentional bias in smokers

Graduation Date

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Psychology, 2008

Committee Chair Name

Emily Sommerman

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Psychology, Waters and Feyerabend, Attentional bias, Smoking, Stroop task

Abstract

Previous research has shown that our attention is often predisposed toward certain external stimuli in our environment. Studies using a form of the Stroop color-naming task have measured significant attentional bias in individuals toward certain stimuli when that stimuli resonates emotionally with an individual's trauma or pathology. In this study, 40 smokers either abstained or continued their regular smoking habits for a 24 hour period. Participants then viewed an emotional Stroop task where they were asked to name the colors of neutral or smoking-related words presented on a computer screen. A literature review of studies involving smoking abstinence revealed certain risks to smokers who stop smoking for brief periods of time. These risks include feelings of anger, nervousness, and anxiety as well as increased hunger for sugars, fats, and carbohydrates. Participant benefits include physiological reductions of heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, certain participants may have discovered personal benefits arising from their temporary smoking abstinence and chose to cease their smoking habits altogether.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/2514np10q

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