Shawna Tanner
Trait and Social Influences in the Link between Negative Thinking and Favorable Affect
Cognitive theory of emotional disorders (Beck, 1976) hypothesizes that negative thinking causes emotional disturbance, including both clinically-significant disorder; as well as normal variation in negative emotion (Lewinsohn, Steinmetz, Larson & Franklin, 1981). Consistent with this, a large body of literature indicates that people who think more negatively about themselves (e.g., pessimism) and important aspects of their lives experience more negative emotion than people who think about themselves more positively (Lewinsohn, et al. 1981;Wisco, 2009). Beck's (1976) theory typically has been studied by measuring trait-like qualities of negative thinking (e.g., negative thinking that is stable over time and across situations). Yet, trait like-negative thinking has not been very successful in predicting who will experience emotional disturbance in the future. Beck’s (1976) theory also indicates that subclinical depression and clinical depression are on a continuum. That is, negative thinking plays the same role in normal variations in sadness as it does for clinical disturbance.
Researchers primarily focus on the trait-like aspects of negative thinking, putting little emphasis on the potential influences of personal relationships (i.e. social influences). Our research team has the tools for separating trait-like and social influences (Barry, Lakey & Orehek, 2007; Lakey, Cohen & Neely, 2008; Lakey, Orehek, Hain & VanVleet, 2010; Merlo & Lakey, 2007; Neely, et al., 2006; Scoboria & Lakey, 2005; Veenstra, et al., 2009). In this study, we are examining the extent to which negative thinking is linked to depressed affect for both trait and social influences. Trait influences are a relatively stable part of an individual’s personality. For example, Sue may consistently think about the world as a dark and gloomy place regardless of whom she is interacting or thinking about. Social influences fluctuate across relationships with other individuals. For example, Doug tends to worry about many things in his life. This tendency to worry is reduced when Doug spends time with his best friend but increases when he is around his father. We will examine the extent to which negative thinking is trait-like and the extent to which if fluctuates depending upon social influences. In addition, we will examine the extent to which negative thinking is linked to depressed affect for both trait and social influences.
Faculty Mentor: Brian Lakey, Psychology
Trait and Social Influences in the Link between Negative Thinking and Favorable Affect
Cognitive theory of emotional disorders (Beck, 1976) hypothesizes that negative thinking causes emotional disturbance, including both clinically-significant disorder; as well as normal variation in negative emotion (Lewinsohn, Steinmetz, Larson & Franklin, 1981). Consistent with this, a large body of literature indicates that people who think more negatively about themselves (e.g., pessimism) and important aspects of their lives experience more negative emotion than people who think about themselves more positively (Lewinsohn, et al. 1981;Wisco, 2009). Beck's (1976) theory typically has been studied by measuring trait-like qualities of negative thinking (e.g., negative thinking that is stable over time and across situations). Yet, trait like-negative thinking has not been very successful in predicting who will experience emotional disturbance in the future. Beck’s (1976) theory also indicates that subclinical depression and clinical depression are on a continuum. That is, negative thinking plays the same role in normal variations in sadness as it does for clinical disturbance.
Researchers primarily focus on the trait-like aspects of negative thinking, putting little emphasis on the potential influences of personal relationships (i.e. social influences). Our research team has the tools for separating trait-like and social influences (Barry, Lakey & Orehek, 2007; Lakey, Cohen & Neely, 2008; Lakey, Orehek, Hain & VanVleet, 2010; Merlo & Lakey, 2007; Neely, et al., 2006; Scoboria & Lakey, 2005; Veenstra, et al., 2009). In this study, we are examining the extent to which negative thinking is linked to depressed affect for both trait and social influences. Trait influences are a relatively stable part of an individual’s personality. For example, Sue may consistently think about the world as a dark and gloomy place regardless of whom she is interacting or thinking about. Social influences fluctuate across relationships with other individuals. For example, Doug tends to worry about many things in his life. This tendency to worry is reduced when Doug spends time with his best friend but increases when he is around his father. We will examine the extent to which negative thinking is trait-like and the extent to which if fluctuates depending upon social influences. In addition, we will examine the extent to which negative thinking is linked to depressed affect for both trait and social influences.
Faculty Mentor: Brian Lakey, Psychology
Page last modified July 26, 2010
