Intrusive thinking (G15)

Question 1

Which of the following does NOT make an intrusive thought clinical, as stated in the lecture?

a. Intensity
b. Negative affect
c. Maladaptive appraisals

Answer 1

b. Negative affect

Suggested Student Edit: “intensity? did you mean salience?”

Question 2

Describe the process of and the pros and cons of using a trauma film paradigm to study intrusive thoughts.

Answer 2

1. The process is described - participants view distressing clips and keep a diary of their intrusive thoughts
2. Possible pros - control over event and ‘peri-trauma’ event, ‘golden standard’ for content of the event allowing for comparisons to voluntary memory recall, relatively high ecological validity
3. Possible cons - requires meta-awareness, film is only a proxy for trauma, no control over timing, involuntariness difficult to verify

Question 3

Suddenly remembering to buy milk while you’re doing your assignment is an example of which type of intrusion?

a. Intention
b. Anticipated emotionally salient event
c. Incompletion

Answer 3

a. Intention

Question 4

In the lecture, you have been presented with research paradigms to study intrusive thoughts/thinking.

1) Name and describe one of these paradigms.
2) Give 3 arguments pro and 3 contra this paradigm.

Answer 4

1) e.g. Experience/thought sampling, Trauma film paradigm (+ diary), Think/No Think paradigm
For instance: Trauma film paradigm + diary = watch distrssing film and keep a diary about the intrusive thoughts related to the film after watching it (how often and when do the intrustions occur)
2) Pros:
• Control over event and ‘peri-trauma’ factors
• ’golden standard’ for veracity of memory, which allows comparison to measures of voluntary recall
• Relatively high ecological validity (compared to e.g., picture/ conditioning)
Cons:
• Requires meta-awareness
• Film only a proxy for trauma
• No control over timing
• Involuntariness difficult to verify

Question 5

Which one of the following (surely) is an intrusive thought?

a. Nightmares in a PTSD patient
b. Hallucinations in a psychotic patient
c. A happy memory while you’re at a party

Answer 5

a. Nightmares in a PTSD patient