Exploring conscious and preconscious processing of affective pictures in smokers with different levels of dependency : behavioural and physiological outcomes

Abstract

The work described in this thesis is directed at investigating preconscious processes which surpasses automatic cognitive control. To test this contention it is necessary to surpass conscious cortical control through the use of tasks which can be mediated by pre-conscious stimuli. This thesis aims to investigate physiological, and behavioural responses to positive and negative cues in heavy-, light-, ex- and never-smokers. The main method of enquiry involves a modified Stroop task presented at various levels of processing; subliminal, implicit and explicit. Three main studies were conducted testing physiological (heart rate and skin response) and behavioural (RT) reactivity in response to positive, negative and neutral smoking related pictures. A brief synopsis of the work contained in each chapter of this thesis is presented below.