The Effect of Happiness and Sadness on Alerting, Orienting, and Executive Attention

Objective: According to the attention network approach, attention is best understood in terms of three functionally and neuroanatomically distinct networks—alerting, orienting, and executive attention. An important question is whether the experience of emotion differentially influences the efficienc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of attention disorders 2010-05, Vol.13 (6), p.629-639
Main Authors: Finucane, Anne M., Whiteman, Martha C., Power, Mick J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affect
Arousal
Attention
Cognitive Processes
Cues
Efficiency
Emotional Response
Executive Function
Female
Happiness
Humans
Male
Neurological Organization
Orientation
Psychological Patterns
Task Analysis
Tests
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective: According to the attention network approach, attention is best understood in terms of three functionally and neuroanatomically distinct networks—alerting, orienting, and executive attention. An important question is whether the experience of emotion differentially influences the efficiency of these networks. Method: This study examines 180 participants were randomly assigned to a happy, sad, or control condition and undertook a modified version of the Attention Network Test. Results: The results showed no effect of happiness or sadness on alerting, orienting, or executive attention. However, sad participants showed reduced intrinsic alertness. Conclusion: This suggests that sadness reduces general alertness rather than impairing the efficiency of specific attention networks. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; 13(6) 629-639)
ISSN:1087-0547
1557-1246
DOI:10.1177/1087054709334514