Mood as a determinant of attentional focus

Abstract

Three experiments examined the effects of mood on self-focused versus external-focused attention. The results demonstrated that sad mood •(compared to neutral and happy mood) tends to induce self-focused attention, whereas happy mood (compared to sad mood) tends to elicit externalfocused attention. The effects of mood on attention were independent of the self-focusing nature of the mood-inducing event. A model is proposed to account for the relation between mood and self-focused attention. According to the model, sad mood produces momentary negative self-evaluation, which in turn creates uncertainty about one's self-worth. This instigates selfperception processes that result in heightened self-focused attention. In contrast, happy mood leads to certainty about one's self-worth, which allows an extroverted orientation.

Self-Awareness and Saliency of Social Versus Individualistic Behavioral Standards

“…All participants completed a version of the Scheier and Carver (1985) private versus public self-consciousness scale (see also, Fenigstein et al, 1975;Sedikides, 1992). The items measuring private self-consciousness ("I think about myself a lot", "I'm quick to notice changes in my mood", "I'm always trying to figure myself out", "In general, I'm aware of the way my mind works", and "I generally pay attention to my inner feelings;" Cronbach's α = .83) and "public self-consciousness" ( "I'm usually aware of my appearance,", "I often check myself in a mirror", "I generally pay attention to my behavior", and "I'm aware of the way I look;" Cronbach's α = .77) were measured on 7-point scales (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree).…”

“…Subsequently, as a manipulation check, participants filled out a slightly modified version of the private and public self-awareness questionnaire we used in Study 1. The original questions were rephrased so that they would measure state instead of trait self-consciousness (see also Sedikides, 1992). The items measuring private self-awareness (Cronbach's α = .78) were rephrased as to measure awareness at that particular moment (e.g., "I'm always trying to figure myself out" became "I'm trying to figure myself out").…”

“…In the current studies, as mentioned in Study 1, we used a slightly modified version of the revised self-consciousness scales (see also Scheier and Carver, 1985;Sedikides, 1992).…”

On when self-enhancement and self-criticism function adaptively and maladaptively.

“…This negative affective state is likely to spawn self-focus and self-questioning (Sedikides, 1992). It is interesting, however, that despite being hurt by the feedback, participants do not abandon their will for improvement.…”

The relationship between anxiety‐stability, working memory and cognitive style

“…In reality, nothing is totally bad, only some parts and this style evens out the bad with the good. Similarly, those who have only an analytic facility will have everything ordered and under control (Baroun, 2005;Salovey & Rodin, 1985;Sedikides, 1992) and will perceive less stress. Those who seem most susceptible to anxiety are those with the facility to switch between the two modes.…”