New research shows that highly anxious individuals exert more cognitive control when they make a risky decision compared with less anxious individuals. This in turn leads to less risky decisions.
For the Psychophysiology study, 20 high and 20 low anxious individuals played a risk game while investigators recorded their brain responses via electroencephalogram. The researchers found higher frontal midline theta power in highly anxious individuals during their decisions, which indicates more cognitive control. Higher frontal midline theta power in turn predicted less risky choices.
"We showed that high anxious individuals also perceived risky situations as riskier, which is in line with the higher amount of cognitive control during their risk choices in the game. Obviously, they try to avoid negative outcomes," said lead author Dr. Barbara Schmidt of the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena in Germany. "Our study provides a direct link between anxiety, frontal midline theta power, and risky decisions. That is exciting, as it means that frontal midline theta power directly affects behavior."

###

Additional Information
The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Members of the media may sign up for embargoed news or to request a copy of any study please contact:
Josh Glickman (US) +1 201-748-6572

[email protected]

Follow us on Twitter @WileyNews
Full Citation

"Anxious gambling: Anxiety is associated with higher frontal midline theta predicting less risky decisions." Barbara Schmidt, Hannah Kanis, Clay B. Holroyd, Wolfgang H. R. Miltner and Johannes Hewig. Psychophysiology; Published Online: June 20, 2018. (DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13210).
URL Upon Publication: https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13210
About Wiley

Wiley, a global research and learning company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 210 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.