The effect of happiness and sadness on alerting, orienting, and executive attention

Anne M Finucane; Martha C Whiteman; Mick J Power

doi:10.1177/1087054709334514

The effect of happiness and sadness on alerting, orienting, and executive attention

Anne M Finucane, Martha C Whiteman, Mick J Power

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	629-39
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Attention Disorders
Volume	13
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054709334514
Publication status	Published - May 2010

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Affect
Arousal
Attention
Executive Function
Female
Happiness
Humans
Male
Orientation
Young Adult

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10.1177/1087054709334514

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title = "The effect of happiness and sadness on alerting, orienting, and executive attention",

abstract = "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.",

keywords = "Affect, Arousal, Attention, Executive Function, Female, Happiness, Humans, Male, Orientation, Young Adult",

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year = "2010",

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AU - Finucane, Anne M

AU - Whiteman, Martha C

AU - Power, Mick J

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Affect

KW - Arousal

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KW - Executive Function

KW - Female

KW - Happiness

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Orientation

KW - Young Adult

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JO - Journal of Attention Disorders

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The effect of happiness and sadness on alerting, orienting, and executive attention

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Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

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