TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-focused attention and reactions to fear
AU - Scheier, Michael F.
AU - Carver, Charles S.
AU - Gibbons, Frederick X.
PY - 1981/3
Y1 - 1981/3
N2 - Two studies were conducted to study the effect of self-focused attention on behavioral responses to fear. In Experiment 1, phobics and nonphobics were asked to approach and hold a snake either in the presence of a mirror or with no mirror. In Experiment 2, high and low private self-conscious subjects were asked to submit to a series of either mild or strong electric shock for humanitarian reasons. In each case, self-directed attention caused increased responsivity to the fearful affect and made subjects more likely to withdraw from the situation, regardless of the fact that a behavioral standard existed which called for an opposite response. The theoretical and behavioral implications of the findings were discussed.
AB - Two studies were conducted to study the effect of self-focused attention on behavioral responses to fear. In Experiment 1, phobics and nonphobics were asked to approach and hold a snake either in the presence of a mirror or with no mirror. In Experiment 2, high and low private self-conscious subjects were asked to submit to a series of either mild or strong electric shock for humanitarian reasons. In each case, self-directed attention caused increased responsivity to the fearful affect and made subjects more likely to withdraw from the situation, regardless of the fact that a behavioral standard existed which called for an opposite response. The theoretical and behavioral implications of the findings were discussed.
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U2 - 10.1016/0092-6566(81)90002-7
DO - 10.1016/0092-6566(81)90002-7
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0019432760
VL - 15
SP - 1
EP - 15
JO - Journal of Research in Personality
JF - Journal of Research in Personality
SN - 0092-6566
IS - 1
ER -