Information-processing differences in repressors and sensitizers.

Abstract

Used S. Sternberg's model of information processing to test cognitive differences in 14 repressor and 14 sensitizer undergraduates as determined by Byrne's Repression-Sensitization scale. Reaction time (RT) and error rate data from a choice RT memory-search task revealed significant interactions between repression-sensitization and "Yes" vs. "No" responses. Data are consistent with expectations from ego-psychology theory and suggest that the stage of memory interrogation discriminates repressors from sensitizers. A "minimal interrogation" hypothesis was offered: Repressors have difficulty initially in executing interrogation processes efficiently (higher RT scores) to the extent that they manifest a chronic disposition to terminate interrogation prematurely (higher error rate). Results can be tied to the concept of "leveling-sharpening" and suggest that links can be drawn between cognitive and personality variables by using recently developed powerful models of perceptual-cognitive functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)