Research article summary (published 22 Jun 2009):

Playing TETRIS for science counter-regulatory affective processing in a motivationally "hot" context.

Full Abstract

We adapted the computer game TETRIS to investigate the process of affective-motivational counter-regulation, that is, attentional biases for emotional stimuli that are in opposition to the momentary motivational focus. Counter-regulation is seen as a mechanism which should prevent escalation and impulsivity, and it should help to avoid becoming "locked up" in affective-motivational states. Accordingly, for a negative outcome focus condition (i.e., risk of losing a current high score), we hypothesized greater interference by positive distractors that were included in the game, whereas for a positive outcome focus (i.e., chance to improve one's current high score), we hypothesized greater interference by negative distractors. Supporting our hypotheses, we found the predicted interactions between distractor valence and type of outcome focus.

Author information

Author/s: Wentura, Dirk (D); Voss, Andreas (A); Rothermund, Klaus (K);

Affiliation: Universität des Saarlandes, Fachrichtung Psychologie, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany. wentura(-atsign-)mx.uni-saarland.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Acta psychologica (Acta Psychol (Amst)), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 131 (issue 3) : pp 171-7

Dates: Created 2009/07/06; Completed 2009/10/13;

PMID: 19555920, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/13/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Achievement Adult Affect Attention Female Games, Experimental Goals Humans

Male Motivation Orientation Pattern Recognition, Visual Psychomotor Performance Reaction Time Video Games Young Adult

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