Introduction: Emotions aroused regarding a situation, frequently depend on how this situation is appraised or interpreted (Joormann, Yoon & Siemer, 2010). Interpretations are often habitual and repetitive, and as a result they are classified as biases (Hirsh et al., 2016). Negative Interpretation Bias (NIB) is a transdiagnostic feature describing the habit of interpreting ambiguous situations as negative or threatening (Garland & Howard, 2013). These biases have been proposed to be automatic, unintentional, outside of awareness and uncontrollable (Hirsch et al., 2016).
NIB is a central characteristic of emotional disorders, found to be present in anxiety and depression (Beck, 2008; Butler & Mathews, 1983; Mathews & MacLeod, 2005). Specifically, it is thought to play a maintaining role, proposed to cause and maintain worry in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and rumination in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (Dugas et al., 2005; Hirsch et al., 2016). To investigate this, recent studies use paradigms that modify NIB to observe changes in anxiety and depression (Hirsch & Mathews, 2012; Joormann, Waught & Gotlib, 2015; Mathews et al., 2007).
To elicit NIB in experimental sessions, computerized tasks are used, in which participants report their interpretation as it comes to mind or after reflecting on the ambiguous information. (Hindash & …show more content…
They will also improve knowledge on the similarities and differences between these disorders. Furthermore the findings will enhance literature on the transdiagnostic properties of NIB and it will lead to better management of these disorders. Results supporting content-specificity of NIB will point towards tailored interventions for each disorder instead of a uniformed bias
NIB is a central characteristic of emotional disorders, found to be present in anxiety and depression (Beck, 2008; Butler & Mathews, 1983; Mathews & MacLeod, 2005). Specifically, it is thought to play a maintaining role, proposed to cause and maintain worry in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and rumination in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (Dugas et al., 2005; Hirsch et al., 2016). To investigate this, recent studies use paradigms that modify NIB to observe changes in anxiety and depression (Hirsch & Mathews, 2012; Joormann, Waught & Gotlib, 2015; Mathews et al., 2007).
To elicit NIB in experimental sessions, computerized tasks are used, in which participants report their interpretation as it comes to mind or after reflecting on the ambiguous information. (Hindash & …show more content…
They will also improve knowledge on the similarities and differences between these disorders. Furthermore the findings will enhance literature on the transdiagnostic properties of NIB and it will lead to better management of these disorders. Results supporting content-specificity of NIB will point towards tailored interventions for each disorder instead of a uniformed bias