Mechanism Underlying the Impact of Anxiety on Choice Deferral from the Perspective of Process-Tracing: The Moderating Role of Task Framing

doi:10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.01.014

Abstract

Abstract: From the perspective of process-tracing, this study used eye-tracking technique to explore the mechanism underlying the impact of anxiety on choice deferral, as well as the mediating effect of information processing time, and the moderating effect of task framing. The results showed that: 1) Compared to non-anxious participants, anxious participants were more likely to delay their choices. 2) Information processing time mediated the effect of anxiety on choice deferral. 3) Task framing moderated the effects of anxiety on processing time and choice deferral respectively. 4) Task framing moderated the mediating effect of processing time on the relationship between anxiety and choice deferral, which was a moderated mediation model. Specifically, under a positive framing, anxious participants were inclined to spend more processing time, so they were more likely to delay the choice, however, under a negative framing, the mediating effect of processing time was not significant.

Key words: anxiety, choice deferral, processing time, task framing, eye-tracking

摘要： 从过程追踪视角出发，运用眼动技术通过3个系列实验逐步深入探讨焦虑情绪对延迟选择的影响，及信息加工时间与任务框架在其中的中介和调节作用。结果发现：(1)焦虑影响延迟选择，即焦虑情绪组被试比非焦虑情绪组被试更倾向做出延迟选择；(2)信息加工时间在焦虑对延迟选择的影响中起部分中介作用；(3)任务框架分别调节焦虑对信息加工时间与延迟选择的影响，即在积极框架下，有焦虑情绪的被试加工时间更长、更倾向延迟选择，而在消极框架下两组被试的延迟选择偏好无显著差异；(4)任务框架调节信息加工时间在焦虑与延迟选择关系中的中介作用，表现为有调节的中介，即在积极框架下，有焦虑情绪的被试加工时间更长而使其更倾向延迟选择，在消极框架下两组被试加工时间与延迟选择偏好无显著差异，中介效应不显著。研究结果对理解焦虑情绪如何及何时影响延迟选择，以及如何依据不同任务框架调节个体的焦虑水平进而灵活做出延迟或即时决策均有一定启示。

关键词: 焦虑情绪, 延迟选择, 信息加工时间, 任务框架, 眼动

CLC Number:

B849

WANG Huaiyong, XU Tiantian, YE Qing. Mechanism Underlying the Impact of Anxiety on Choice Deferral from the Perspective of Process-Tracing: The Moderating Role of Task Framing[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2026, 24(1): 122-129.

王怀勇, 徐田田, 叶青. 过程追踪视角下焦虑情绪对延迟选择的影响及机制：任务框架的调节作用[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2026, 24(1): 122-129.

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