Experimental modification of attribution processes.
Abstract
Attributional style is hypothesized to be a causative factor in depression vulnerability; however, no studies to date have examined whether manipulation of attributional style influences depressed mood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether computer-based cognitive bias modification (CBM) procedures could modify attributional style and influence stress vulnerability. Participants were provided with multiple training trials that were intended to promote the use of either a positive or a negative attributional style. Compared with individuals in the negative attributional style condition, individuals in the positive attributional style condition showed decreased tendency to make self-deficient causal attributions for poor performance on a difficult anagram test. Furthermore, individuals in the positive attributional style condition reported less depressed mood in response to this academic stressor. These results suggest that attributional style is not invariable and can potentially be modified with CBM approaches.
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Attributional styles are mutable and can be successfully addressed.
“From a clinical perspective, it is important to note that attributional styles are mutable and can be successfully addressed (Peters et al., 2011) .”
From Can mild traumatic brain injury alter cognition chronically? A LIMBIC-CENC multicenter study. (2023) · cites this paper as Peters et al., 2011
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Efficacy of cognitive bias modification interventions in anxiety and depression: Meta-analysis
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Self-citationCan mild traumatic brain injury alter cognition chronically? A LIMBIC-CENC multicenter study.
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- Authors
- Peters, K. D., Constans, J. I., & Mathews, A.
- Affiliations
- Tulane University (US)
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (US)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology
- Published
- 2011-02
- Volume
- 120
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 168-173
- ISSN
- 0021-843X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1846
- OpenAlex
- W2145141532
- Cited by
- 62
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 5.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- attributional style, cognitive bias modification, depression vulnerability, stress vulnerability, depressive mood, academic stress, anagram task
- MeSH terms
- Affect, Analysis of Variance, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Resilience, Psychological, Young Adult
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