Abstract
Earlier research has revealed implicit avoidance of social stimuli in social anxiety (SA). This study investigated such reactions
in anticipation of social interaction. High (n = 24) and low (n = 22) SA females were assessed in anticipation of a getting-acquainted conversation (anticipation) and in a no-conversation-expected
(neutral) condition. The Face-Turn Approach Avoidance Task was used in which participants responded to profiles of human faces
or control stimuli by either pulling (approach) or pushing (avoidance) a joystick. Upon pulling, the stimuli turned toward
the participant, while they turned away upon pushing. The results demonstrated the expected decreased approach response to
faces in the neutral condition for the high SAs compared to the low SAs group. Unexpectedly, in the anticipation condition
the high SAs showed increased approach tendencies to faces whereas, the low SAs demonstrated a decreased approach response.
The implicit social approach response of the high SAs in the anticipation condition is discussed.
in anticipation of social interaction. High (n = 24) and low (n = 22) SA females were assessed in anticipation of a getting-acquainted conversation (anticipation) and in a no-conversation-expected
(neutral) condition. The Face-Turn Approach Avoidance Task was used in which participants responded to profiles of human faces
or control stimuli by either pulling (approach) or pushing (avoidance) a joystick. Upon pulling, the stimuli turned toward
the participant, while they turned away upon pushing. The results demonstrated the expected decreased approach response to
faces in the neutral condition for the high SAs compared to the low SAs group. Unexpectedly, in the anticipation condition
the high SAs showed increased approach tendencies to faces whereas, the low SAs demonstrated a decreased approach response.
The implicit social approach response of the high SAs in the anticipation condition is discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9408-5
- Authors
- M. J. Voncken, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- M. Rinck, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- A. Deckers, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- W.-G. Lange, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916