Attachment Style, Task Difficulty, and Feedback Type: Effects on Cognitive Load
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines how attachment styles influence cognitive load during a dot counting task with varying difficulty levels and feedback types. From an initial pool of 96 participants, 27 were selected based on attachment classifications from the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire. These participants completed the task while receiving personal and group-based feedback, and EEG recordings monitored cognitive load using the theta/beta ratio (TBR). Results show that negative personal feedback consistently elevated cognitive load across all attachment styles. Avoidant and fearful-avoidant individuals did not exhibit significant differences in cognitive load between positive and negative group feedback, suggesting a relatively stable response regardless of feedback valence. In contrast, securely attached individuals showed increased cognitive load under negative feedback conditions. Furthermore, individuals with higher attachment-related anxiety or avoidance experienced more pronounced increases in cognitive load as task difficulty increased. These findings suggest that attachment-related differences shape cognitive responses to feedback and task complexity level. The study highlights the role of adaptive feedback strategies in optimizing cognitive engagement across different attachment profiles.
Source: Behavioral Sciences
DOI: 10.3390/bs15040427
Authors: Dor Mizrahi, Ilan Laufer, Inon Zuckerman
Institution: Ariel University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
OpenAlex ID: W4408942185