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Bias in interpretation of ambiguous sentences related to threat in anxiety
Abstract
In the 1st of 2 experiments, currently clinically anxious, recovered clinically anxious, and normal control subjects were presented with a mixture of unambiguous and ambiguous sentences; both threatening and nonthreatening interpretations were possible for the latter. A subsequent recognition-memory test indicated that the currently anxious subjects were more likely than normal control and recovered anxious subjects to interpret the ambiguous sentences in a threatening fashion rather than in a nonthreatening fashion. This suggests that the biased interpretation of ambiguity found in currently anxious subjects reflected their anxious mood state. A 2nd experiment established that the difference in interpretative processes between currently anxious and control subjects was not due to response bias and that the interpretative bias was a reasonably general one.
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“There is also good evidence that interpretative biases favouring threat also play an important role in a wide range of anxiety disorders”
From Short-term serotonergic but not noradrenergic antidepressant administration reduces attentional vigilance to threat in healthy volunteers (2009) · cites this paper as Eysenck et al., 1991
In the citing paper
“healthy individuals more likely draw positive than negative interpretations of ambiguous situations, whereas individuals with a current anxiety disorder are more likely to draw almost as many positive as negative interpretations [22].”
From How to boost positive interpretations? A Meta-Analysis of the effectiveness of cognitive bias modification for interpretation (2014) · cites this paper as [22]
In the citing paper
“healthy individuals more likely draw positive than negative interpretations of ambiguous situations, whereas individuals with a current anxiety disorder are more likely to draw almost as many positive as negative interpretations [22].”
From How to boost positive interpretations? A Meta-Analysis of the effectiveness of cognitive bias modification for interpretation (2014) · cites this paper as [22]
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“The protocol for reviewing the articles was developed by the first author based on the suggested strategy by Lipsey and Wilson [22] and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines (Table S1).”
From How to boost positive interpretations? A Meta-Analysis of the effectiveness of cognitive bias modification for interpretation (2014) · cites this paper as [22]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Eysenck, M. W., Mogg, K., May, J., Richards, A., & Mathews, A.
- Affiliations
- University of London (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology
- Published
- 1991-05
- Volume
- 100
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 144-150
- ISSN
- 0021-843X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1846
- OpenAlex
- W2055112615
- Cited by
- 516
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 11.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- interpretation bias, ambiguous sentences, threat interpretation, anxiety, anxiety disorders, recognition memory, response bias, mood states, cognitive biases
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety Disorders, Color Perception, Female, Humans, Language Tests, Male, Memory, Personality Inventory, Psychological Tests, Reaction Time, Semantics
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