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Modifying cognitive errors promotes cognitive well being: a new approach to bias modification.
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posted on 2023-06-08, 21:51 authored by Kathryn LesterKathryn Lester, Andrew Mathews, Phil S Davison, Jennifer L Burgess, Jenny YiendBACKGROUND Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) procedures have been used to train individuals to interpret ambiguous information in a negative or benign direction and have provided evidence that negative biases causally contribute to emotional vulnerability. METHOD Here we present the development and validation of a new form of CBM designed to manipulate the cognitive errors known to characterize both depression and anxiety. Our manipulation was designed to modify the biased cognitions identified by Beck's cognitive error categories (e.g. arbitrary inference, overgeneralisation) and typically targeted during therapy. RESULTS In a later test of spontaneous inferences, unselected (Experiment 1) and vulnerable participants (Experiment 2) who had generated positive alternatives rather than errors perceived novel hypothetical events, their causes and outcomes in a non-distorted manner. These groups were also less vulnerable to two different types of emotional stressor (video clips; and an imagined social situation). Furthermore participants' interpretation of their own performance on a problem-solving task was improved by the manipulation, despite actual performance showing no significant change. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that Cognitive Error Modification can promote positive inferences, reduce vulnerability to stress and improve self-perceptions of performance.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental PsychiatryISSN
1873-7943Publisher
ElesevierExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
42Page range
298-308Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2015-07-23Usage metrics
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