Predictive Bias Towards Neutral Stimuli in Non-Clinical Anxious Individuals

Authors

  • Pinchao Luo Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China and School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China
  • Wei Li Inner Mongolia Medical University , Hohhot 010000, P.R. China and Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010000, P.R. China
  • Xiaofeng Yang Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010000, P.R. China and Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010000, P.R. China
  • Heng Li School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China
  • Yu Pang School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China
  • Peiheng Feng School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China
  • Liang Xu School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China and Guangdong Communication Polytechnic, Guangzhou 510000, P.R. China
  • Qishisan Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010000, P.R. China
  • Xifu Zheng Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China and School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12970/2310-8231.2016.04.01.2

Keywords:

Non-clinical anxious individuals, predictable, unpredictable, predictive bias.

Abstract

The relationship among predictive bias towards neutral stimuli, trait anxiety and gender in non-clinical individuals is studied. According to the scores on Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI), 31 individuals are randomly selected from the highest 20% scorers as the high anxiety group, and 31 individuals from the lowest 20% scorers as the low anxiety group. Three types of stimulus situations are designed in the experiment, that is, 100% predictable, 50% predictable and unpredictable stimulus situations. MANOVA, which is performed on the reaction of high/low anxiety groups under three stimulus situations, shows that significant differences exist between high anxiety and low anxiety group under the 50% predictable and unpredictable conditions. Independent sample T test shows significant gender differences on predictive bias exist only in high anxiety group. Results of this study show that predictive bias towards neutral stimulus can be found in non-clinical anxious individuals and is significantly correlated with trait anxiety. In addition, predictive bias is more evident in high anxious female.

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Published

2016-03-06

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Articles