Title |
Self-Affirmation Improves Problem-Solving under Stress
|
---|---|
Published in |
PLOS ONE, May 2013
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0062593 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
J. David Creswell, Janine M. Dutcher, William M. P. Klein, Peter R. Harris, John M. Levine |
Abstract |
High levels of acute and chronic stress are known to impair problem-solving and creativity on a broad range of tasks. Despite this evidence, we know little about protective factors for mitigating the deleterious effects of stress on problem-solving. Building on previous research showing that self-affirmation can buffer stress, we tested whether an experimental manipulation of self-affirmation improves problem-solving performance in chronically stressed participants. Eighty undergraduates indicated their perceived chronic stress over the previous month and were randomly assigned to either a self-affirmation or control condition. They then completed 30 difficult remote associate problem-solving items under time pressure in front of an evaluator. Results showed that self-affirmation improved problem-solving performance in underperforming chronically stressed individuals. This research suggests a novel means for boosting problem-solving under stress and may have important implications for understanding how self-affirmation boosts academic achievement in school settings. |
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Japan | 5 | 12% |
Canada | 3 | 7% |
Spain | 1 | 2% |
Korea, Republic of | 1 | 2% |
Hong Kong | 1 | 2% |
Italy | 1 | 2% |
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Unknown | 20 | 47% |
Demographic breakdown
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Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 5 | 12% |
Scientists | 4 | 9% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 2 | 5% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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United Kingdom | 2 | <1% |
Germany | 1 | <1% |
Chile | 1 | <1% |
Italy | 1 | <1% |
Japan | 1 | <1% |
United States | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 247 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Master | 36 | 14% |
Researcher | 25 | 10% |
Student > Bachelor | 21 | 8% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 19 | 7% |
Other | 52 | 20% |
Unknown | 66 | 26% |
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Social Sciences | 26 | 10% |
Business, Management and Accounting | 13 | 5% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 13 | 5% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 13 | 5% |
Other | 44 | 17% |
Unknown | 67 | 26% |