Citation

Otto JH, Hupka RB. Anxiety Stress Coping 1999; 12(3): 265-283.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10615809908250478

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In contrast to the vast literature on the influence of affect on cognitive processing, this report raised the neglected question whether cognitive processing can influence anxiety states. Based on network and proceduralization models, the hypothesis was that anxiety states are prolonged only when congruent with compatible types of probabilistic processing. Anxiety states were induced in 66 female university students with an auto-biographical recollection method. To manipulate style of processing, the participants judged the likelihood of events happening to them using probability or categorical response formats. Results showed that different types of anxiety states (i.e., threat to self-esteem, physical threat) are sustained by different kinds of processing (i.e., graded or yes-no likelihood judgments, respectively). These findings point to the reciprocal influence of cognitive processing on affect. The results are discussed with regard to network and proceduralization models and the mood repair hypothesis.