LE3 .A278 2021

2021

Brodeur, Darlene

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Psychology

Psychology

Recent research suggests that the development of cognitive abilities is a complex, dynamic process that is influenced by a myriad of factors, including social experiences. As a result, understanding individual variation in cognition requires exploring relationships among social and cognitive behaviours. The current study explored the relationship between individual differences in adult attachment styles and holistic object processing, with social motivation assessed as a potential moderator of this relationship. Participants were tested using the Vanderbilt Holistic Processing Test for Faces (Richler et al., 2014) and the Vanderbilt Holistic Processing Test for Novel Objects (Chau & Gauthier, 2020) to measure individual differences in holistic processing. They also completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Short Form (Wei et al., 2007) to assess adult attachment style, and the Friendship Questionnaire (Baron-Cohen &. Wheelwright, 2003) to assess social motivation. Results showed a significant relationship between attachment anxiety and holistic face processing as moderated by social motivation. Participants high in anxiety and social motivation were more likely to process faces, but not objects holistically. Future research is required to more fully understand the relationship between attachment style, social motivation, and cognition.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3559