Comparing Attentional Bias for Money in Different Money Profiles Using a Cueing Paradigm

Four money profiles—achieving money worshiper, careless money admirer, apathetic money manager, and money-repellent individual—have been identified successfully in several studies in different countries. In the present study, attentive processing of money-related information was investigated in four groups of participants (total number = 88). In an exogenous cueing paradigm, spatial attention was cued by money-related or neutral pictures that correctly or incorrectly predicted the location of a followed target. Results showed an interaction effect of picture properties and individual differences on attentional cueing. Money-related pictures were more attractive than neutral pictures to only apathetic money managers, and once they detected the money-related pictures, the attention was difficult to disengage from. This attentional bias for money-related pictures was not found in the other three money profiles.