University Honors

With rising levels of anxiety among college students, understanding its effect on cognition and decision-making is crucial. Anxiety, a state of uneasiness often triggered by high-stress situations, may influence major life choices, such as whether students choose to enter the workforce or attend graduate school. This study examines both correlational and causal effects of anxiety on future planning. In the correlational study (n = 204), anxiety was measured using the GAD-7 and BAI scales. In the experimental study (n = 249), anxiety was induced by asking participants in the experimental condition to solve up to 10 Raven’s Progressive Matrices within three minutes, and the task was described as an “intelligence test.” This was designed to elicit anxiety through uncontrollability and negative self-evaluation. The control group completed the same task with unlimited time, and the task was described as a “fun matching exercise.” Participants self-reported emotional and physiological anxiety levels. We assessed decision-making using a hypothetical scenario of a business student choosing between an entry-level job offer versus getting an MBA. We also included standard measures of time preference, risk aversion, and loss aversion. I hypothesized that higher anxiety levels would lead to more risk-averse decisions, a preference for immediate rewards, and an increased likelihood of choosing workforce entry. However, results revealed no significant relationship between anxiety and decision-making in either study. Despite the null results, these findings contribute valuable insights into the complex relationship between anxiety and decision-making, highlighting the need for further exploration. Future research should explore alternative methods of anxiety induction to better understand its role in decision-making among college students.