The effect of trait anxiety and mood manipulation on the breadth of attention

Eysenck (1992) predicts that among tr ait-anxious individuals high levels o f state anxiety broaden the attentional beam in order to facilitate the det ection of threat. An experiment was therefore conducted to investigate the interactive role of trait anxiety and mood manipulation on attentional broa dening. Target material varying in threat-relatedness and concern-relevance was presented to participants' central (parafoveal) and peripheral visual field Whilst a mood manipulation was associated with a broadening of the at tentional beam, it occurred irrespective of trait anxiety. However, differe nces in the processing of target material were determined by an interaction between trait anxiety and the mood manipulation. Specifically, when placed in an anxiety-provoking mood manipulation, those high in anxiety, increase d in their vigilance for concern-relevant threatening material. These resul ts are discussed in light of Eysenck's hypervigilance theory of anxiety and attention. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.