9: Cognitive Bias Modification Flashcards
What gap in research does CBM fill?
Establishing causality that cannot be observed with cross-sectional or before and after stressful event designs.
Broadly, how does CBM work?
Participants repeatedly experience an experimentally established contingency during performance of a simple task designed to encourage acquisition of a positive change in selective processing bias.
What are the two key steps to CBM.
Target a clinical bias associated with dysfunction and manipulate it through repeated practice on a task.
What does a new bias induced in selective interpretation do?
Generalise to new ambiguous scenarios over the next few days.
What does a reduced negative bias induced in selective interpretation do?
Reduce state anxiety reactions to a subsequent stressor.
Give 6 potential benefits of CBM.
Therapeutic, no therapist needed, deeper understanding of link between biases and emotional reactivity, prevention in vulnerable populations, cost-effectiveness and diversity of techniques.
Give 7 factors to consider when evaluating CBM.
Scope of biases studied, empirical evidence for effectiveness, population studied, time course in length of evaluation, time course of treatment, cost and adherence.
What are three potential benefits of positive mental imagery training for depressed people?
Reduce anhedonia, think about future more positively and may engage in more positive behaviour.
What attention bias characterises PTSD?
Difficulties in disengaging attention from trauma-related word stimuli.
What interpretation bias characterises PTSD?
Dysfunctional trauma-related appraisals.
What memory bias characterises PTSD?
Overgeneral memory is a predictor and risk factor for developing PTSD after trauma.
Can CBM help in PTSD?
IBM specifically: Training to see the bigger picture and carry out functional appraisals on trauma and its consequences can reduce intrusion frequency and distress.
What 5 areas does future CBM research need to look at?
Clinical participants, mechanisms, prevention vs. treatment, type of trauma and pre-post assessments.
