Being optimally aroused matters: Effects of a weak stress manipulation on children’s executive functions are moderated by temperament and age
Data(s) |
23/04/2014
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Resumo |
We tested a core assumption of the bidirectional model of executive function (EF) (Blair & Ursache, 2011) indicating that EF is dependent on arousal. From a bottom-up perspective the performance on EF tasks is assumed to be curvilinearly related to arousal, with very high or low levels of arousal impairing EF. N = 107 4-and 6-year-olds’ performance on EF tasks was explored as a function of a weak stress manipulation aiming to raise children’s emotional arousal. EF (Stroop, Flanker, Go/no-go, and Backwards Color Recall) was assessed and stress was induced in half of the children by imposing a mild social evaluative threat. Furthermore, children’s temperament was assessed as a potential moderator. We found that stress effects on children’s EF performance were moderated by age and temperament: 4-year-olds with high Inhibitory Control and high Attentional Focusing were negatively affected by the stressor. However, it is unclear whether these effects were mediated by self-reported arousal. Our findings disconfirmed the hypotheses that adverse effects of the stressor are particularly high in children high on emotional reactivity aspects of temperament and low on self-regulatory aspects of temperament. Further, 6-year-olds did not show any stress effects. Results will be discussed within the framework of the Yerkes-Dodson law and with regard to stress manipulations in children. |
Formato |
application/pdf |
Identificador |
http://boris.unibe.ch/61822/1/Being%20optimally%20aroused%20matters_Neuenschwander2014.pdf Neuenschwander, Regula; Roebers, Claudia M.; Blair, Clancy (2014). Being optimally aroused matters: Effects of a weak stress manipulation on children’s executive functions are moderated by temperament and age. Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 4(1), pp. 194-208. Canadian Center of Science and Education 10.5539/jedp.v4n1p194 <http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jedp.v4n1p194> doi:10.7892/boris.61822 info:doi:10.5539/jedp.v4n1p194 urn:issn:1927-0526 |
Idioma(s) |
eng |
Publicador |
Canadian Center of Science and Education |
Relação |
http://boris.unibe.ch/61822/ |
Direitos |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
Fonte |
Neuenschwander, Regula; Roebers, Claudia M.; Blair, Clancy (2014). Being optimally aroused matters: Effects of a weak stress manipulation on children’s executive functions are moderated by temperament and age. Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 4(1), pp. 194-208. Canadian Center of Science and Education 10.5539/jedp.v4n1p194 <http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jedp.v4n1p194> |
Palavras-Chave | #150 Psychology |
Tipo |
info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion PeerReviewed |