THE TEST OF ATTENTIONAL AND INTERPERSONAL STYLE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS PATTERNS AMONG WORKING MEN AND WOMEN AS PREDICTORS OF PERFORMANCE ON THE STROOP COLOR WORD TEST

This investigation evaluated the Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (TAIS) and physiological stress patterns among working men and women as predictors of performance on the Stroop Color-Word Test. It was hypothesized that "Attentionally Effective" subjects would perform better than "non-Attentionally Effective" subjects. It was also hypothesized that the best performers would display the least reactive psychophysiological stress profiles. Women were hypothesized to perform better on the Stroop test than men.;According to the physiological data, the Stroop test did produce arousal. The "Attentionally Effective" group performed significantly better on the Stroop test than the "non-Attentionally Effective" group. Temperature (arousal) and GSR (relaxed) readings and age were significant predictors of Stroop performance. Psychophysiological stress profiles differed in that some subjects maximally responded to the stressor in one or more modes, while others minimally responded in one or more modes. Those subjects who responded in a "preferred" mode (response specificity) appeared to group together under specific TAIS factors. Women performed significantly better on the Stroop test than men. Men displayed a significantly higher (arousal) GSR profile. The data are discussed in regard to future research.;One hundred working subjects (52 men and 48 women) ranging in age from 20 to 57 were used. The subjects were connected to three physiological recording units, using normal procedures. A data acquisition center recorded frontalis EMG, non-dominant hand GSR and Temperature readings. The TAIS, State Anxiety Inventory (A-State), demographic data sheet and a Problem Check List (Health Qustionnaire) were administered while the subject habituated to the physiological recording equipment. During this (approximately 45 minutes) prebaseline period, 2 minute physiological recordings were made at 15 minute intervals. Next, the subject was instructed to relax for 10 minutes (baseline), then the Stroop test (interference card) was presented for 2 minutes (stress). Finally the subject was instructed to relax again for 6 minutes (recovery). Physiological measures were recorded continuously commencing with the last 2 minutes of baseline period. An alpha numeric printer printed 1 minute averages and standard deviations of each physiological measure. These data were plotted as a set of psychophysiological stress profiles.