Neural Activity Underlying the Effect of Approach-Motivated Positive Affect on Narrowed Attention

2009/03/09 by Eddie Harmon‐Jones, Philip A. Gable · 2 citations
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Spatial Neglect and Hemispheric Dysfunction

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02302.x

openalex publication_date 2009/03/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/23

Abstract

Positive affects high in approach motivational intensity narrow attention. The present study extended this recent finding by testing whether a neural activation associated with approach-motivation intensity--relative left frontal-central activity--would underlie the effect of appetitive stimuli on narrowed attention (as measured by local attentional bias). It also tested whether individual differences in approach motivation relate to this attentional narrowing. Results supported predictions, suggesting a common association of relative left frontal hemispheric processing for approach-motivational processes and narrowed attention.

Citations

• The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions.
• Forest before trees: The precedence of global features in visual perception
• Approach-Motivated Positive Affect Reduces Breadth of Attention

Cited by

• Does Negative Affect Always Narrow and Positive Affect Always Broaden the Mind? Considering the Influence of Motivational Intensity on Cognitive Scope
• Eddie Harmon-Jones [wikipedia]

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