Emotion-Related Conflict Adaptation in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Authors

Daniel Bjornn, Brigham Young University
Dr. Michael Larson, Brigham Young University

Keywords

emotion-related conflict, conflict adaption, generalized anxiety disorder

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Conflict adaptation is a neurological process that reflects the adjustment of performance on tasks when conflict is detected on previous trials. Conflict in this instance refers to the simultaneous activation of multiple response options. When conflict is detected, such as on an incongruent trial on Stroop task where the word “red” is written in green ink, there is an increase in the recruitment of cognitive resources to overcome the conflict and make the correct answer. Such increased recruitment of cognitive resources allows for improved performance on incongruent trials that follow other incongruent trials (Gratton, Coles, & Donchin, 1992). The behavioral effects of conflict adaptation can be seen in decreased reaction times in incongruent trials that follow incongruent trials as compared to incongruent trials that follow congruent trials (Kerns et al., 2004).

Recommended Citation

Bjornn, Daniel and Larson, Dr. Michael (2013) "Emotion-Related Conflict Adaptation in Generalized Anxiety Disorder," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 573.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/573