Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Summer 7-25-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

August 2026

Department

Psychology

College Granting Degree

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Department Granting Degree

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Andrzej Nowak

Abstract

The present study tested the predictive validity of the Basic Evaluation Process framework by examining whether Fear and Anger emerge as competing emotional attractors during threat appraisal. Using a mouse-tracking paradigm with audio recording, fifty participants reasoned aloud about a self-selected threatening situation while continuously rating their Fear and Anger. Cross-correlation analysis confirmed dynamic dependence between Fear and Anger, although the coupling was positive rather than negative, indicating co-activation rather than mutual suppression. Vector field analysis identified stable attractor structures for all participants, but the distribution of primary attractors across the Fear by Anger state space did not reveal a dominant pathway at the group level. An exploratory association between perceived threat intensity and Fear attractor dominance did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. These findings did not support the BEP's competition hypothesis, though attractor structures were identified for all participants. Findings are discussed in relation to the current literature.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS