Emotional Contrast and Psychological Function Impact Response Inhibition to Threatening Faces.

ABSTRACT: Poor inhibitory control over negative emotional information has been identified as a possible contributor to affective disorders, but the distinct effects of emotional contrast and fearful versus angry faces on response inhibition remain unknown. In the present study, young adults completed an emotional go/no-go task involving happy, neutral, and either fearful or angry faces. Results did not reveal differences in accuracy or speed between angry and fearful face conditions. However, responses were slower and indicated poorer inhibition in blocks where threatening faces were paired with happy, versus neutral, faces. Results may reflect cognitive load of emotional valence contrast, such that higher contrast blocks (containing threatening with happy faces) produced more conflict and required

SUBMITTER: Greif TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6301040 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature