Testing the predictions of the Processing Efficiency Theory – An orienteering simulation

The purpose of this study was to test the key predictions of the Processing Efficiency Theory (PET) in the context of a computer based orienteering task. 15 participants were placed into either high or low traitanxiety groups based on trait anxiety scores, and were subjected to two counterbalanced orienteering simulations: high and low pressure. Measures reflecting mental effort and efficiency of performance were taken under both conditions as well as the completion time of the orienteering task. A time-to-event paradigm was used to induce anxiety for the high-pressure simulation. As predicted, the dispositionally high trait anxious individuals reported significantly higher levels of state anxiety (P < 0.001) than the low trait anxious group as indexed by the self-report (MRF-L) and HR data. PET also predicts that heightened levels of anxiety stimulate an increase in on-task mental effort, significantly more so in the high trait anxious group. The findings from this study partially support PET, as participants experienced a significant increase in mental effort (P < 0.001) between simulations but the high trait group did not increase more than the low trait group (P = 0.122). Finally, PET predicts that even though processing efficiency has decreased, performance would not be necessarily negatively affected. The results revealed that the completion times between pressure simulations did not significantly differ (P = 0.334), providing support for PET. The findings from this study suggest that PET holds promise as a theoretical framework for providing an explanatory account of the mechanisms involved in the performance-anxiety relationship. However, a continued examination of the mechanisms that underlie changes in performance efficiency and effectiveness is needed if any concrete conclusion is to be drawn.