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. 2009 Dec 1;43(6):1064-1072.
doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2009.07.007.

Rejection sensitivity and disruption of attention by social threat cues

Kathy R Berenson  1 , Anett Gyurak, Ozlem Ayduk, Geraldine Downey, Matthew J Garner, Karin Mogg, Brendan P Bradley, Daniel S Pine
Affiliations

Rejection sensitivity and disruption of attention by social threat cues

Kathy R Berenson et al. J Res Pers. .

Abstract

Two studies tested the hypothesis that Rejection Sensitivity (RS) increases vulnerability to disruption of attention by social threat cues, as would be consistent with prior evidence that it motivates individuals to prioritize detecting and managing potential rejection at a cost to other personal and interpersonal goals. In Study 1, RS predicted disruption of ongoing goal-directed attention by social threat but not negative words in an Emotional Stroop task. In Study 2, RS predicted attentional avoidance of threatening but not pleasant faces in a Visual Probe task. Threat-avoidant attention was also associated with features of borderline personality disorder. This research extends understanding of processes by which RS contributes to a self-perpetuating cycle of interpersonal problems and distress.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Predicted attentional bias to social cues by RS, controlling for trait anxiety
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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