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Cited by 237Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesDecision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Temporal dynamics of attentional bias

Open access
Zvielli, Ariel, Bernstein, Amit, Koster, Ernst H. W.·2015·Clinical Psychological Science
DOI 10.1177/2167702614551572
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Biases of emotional attention are believed to be central to human (mal)adaptation and multiple forms of psychopathology. Yet fundamental questions remain regarding the nature and empirical study of attentional bias (AB). We thus aimed to (a) test a novel conceptualization and related operationalization of AB expression in time and (b) illuminate the nature of AB and specifically its temporal expression. We examined AB expression in time by means of a novel trial-level bias score (TL-BS) analysis of dot probe task data in two experiments—among spider phobics and healthy controls, and among smoking-deprived daily smokers. Findings revealed evidence of the dynamic expression of AB in time; furthermore, TL-BS parameters demonstrated unique associations with psychopathology and addiction beyond traditional bias score. The present research may help to bring the conceptualization and quantification of AB closer to the nature of the phenomenon and thereby advance basic and clinical knowledge.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper proposes a Trial-Level Bias Score (TL-BS) method for dot-probe data, arguing that attentional bias is expressed as dynamic, fluctuating bursts over time rather than as a stable trait-like signal. Across spider-phobia and smoking-deprivation experiments, TL-BS parameters predicted diagnostic status and smoking rate, often incrementally beyond traditional mean bias scores.

Key findings

  • TL-BS data were not consistent with a static trait-like signal: attentional bias showed phasic bursts and fluctuating temporal variability toward and/or away from target stimuli, with peaks varying within and between participants.
  • In Experiment 1, spider phobics had higher Fear of Spiders Questionnaire scores than controls, M(SD) = 91.39(20.62) vs. 21.87(22.21), t(62) = 12.59, p < .001, d = 3.2. TL-BS positive parameters and TL-BS variability significantly related to spider-phobic group status, with incremental Nagelkerke’s R² = .04 to .13 in the 500-ms block and .07 to .13 in the 200-ms block; traditional bias score generally did not explain unique variance beyond TL-BS parameters.
  • In Experiment 2, among 45 daily smokers, traditional bias score showed very low split-half reliability (Spearman r = .06, n.s.), whereas TL-BS parameters showed higher reliability: Mean TL-BS POSITIVE r = .67, Mean TL-BS NEGATIVE r = .58, Peak TL-BS POSITIVE r = .44, Peak TL-BS NEGATIVE r = .31, TL-BS Variability r = .46.
  • TL-BS toward-smoking parameters explained unique variance in daily smoking rate beyond traditional bias score, F(3,41) = 2.5, Δr² = .07, p = .04; traditional bias score did not explain unique variance beyond TL-BS parameters, sr² = .01, p = .25.

Methods

  • Experiment 1: 41 spider-phobic participants and 25 healthy controls completed a visual dot-probe task with spider/butterfly stimuli in counterbalanced 200-ms and 500-ms blocks; each block had 60 experimental trials (20 neutral, 20 congruent, 20 incongruent). TL-BS was computed by subtracting temporally contiguous congruent and incongruent trial RT pairs within a 5-trial window, yielding parameters for Mean TL-BS POSITIVE/NEGATIVE, Peak TL-BS POSITIVE/NEGATIVE, and TL-BS Variability; logistic regressions tested diagnostic status.
  • Experiment 2: 45 daily smokers completed an 18-hour biochemically verified smoking-deprivation procedure (CO < 6 PPM) and a dot-probe task with smoking-related pictures in one 500-ms block of 160 trials (80 neutral, 40 congruent, 40 incongruent). Analyses included split-half reliability, zero-order correlations, and hierarchical regression predicting daily smoking rate.
  • Across both experiments, TL-BS parameters were compared with traditional mean bias scores, and “fake TL-BS” parameters computed from neutral trials were used as robustness checks.

Limitations

  • The paper states that TL-BS was tested only in the modified dot-probe task and only for emotional attention; generalization to other paradigms and non-emotional attention remains untested.
  • The paper states that validation analyses were cross-sectional, limiting causal or directional inference, and that split-half reliability could not be meaningfully computed in Experiment 1 due to insufficient trials.
  • The paper states that TL-BS is only one of multiple possible computational approaches and calls for future large-scale psychometric work; evident from the text, the samples are modest and Experiment 2 used only a single 500-ms stimulus block, so robustness across durations and populations is not established.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/2167702614551572

Cites

85 of 85 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 17 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Findings revealed evidence of the dynamic expression of attentional bias (AB) in time.

    “Findings revealed evidence of the dynamic expression of AB in time; furthermore, TL-BS parameters demonstrated unique associations with psychopathology and addiction beyond traditional bias score.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    AB appears to be expressed in phasic bursts or peaks over time.

    “As predicted, AB appears to be expressed in phasic bursts or peaks over time.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Trial Level Bias Score (TL-BS) parameters demonstrated unique associations with psychopathology and addiction beyond traditional bias score.

    “Findings revealed evidence of the dynamic expression of AB in time; furthermore, TL-BS parameters demonstrated unique associations with psychopathology and addiction beyond traditional bias score.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In the 500ms block, greater degree of Variability in TL-BS was significantly related to spider phobia diagnostic status.

    “In addition, as predicted, greater degree of Variability in TL-BS was significantly related to spider phobia diagnostic status.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In the 200ms block, traditional BS was significantly related to spider phobic group status.

    “Second, for the 200ms block, traditional BS was significantly related to spider phobic group status.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 25
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 33
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 3

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The magnitude and direction of peaks of AB vary within- and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.

    “Furthermore, the magnitude and direction of peaks vary within-and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the 500ms block, the Peak TL-BS POSITIVE did not account for unique variance beyond traditional mean BS; it was incrementally significant in the 200ms block.

    “First, in the 500ms block, the Peak TL-BS POSITIVE did not account for unique variance beyond traditional mean BS; it was though incrementally significant in the 200ms block.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    TL-BS demonstrated phasic bursts of differential attentional allocation over time, as well as evidence of fluctuating temporal variability ranging from AB towards and/or away from spider images.

    “TL-BS demonstrated phasic bursts of differential attentional allocation over time; as well as evidence of fluctuating temporal variability ranging from AB towards and/or away from spider images.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    From a total of 40 IT and 40 CT, the mean number of computed BSs per participant was 70.1.

    “From a total of 40 IT and 40 CT, M(SD) of computed BSs/participant = 70.1(3.9).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The amplitude and direction of peaks vary within- and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.

    “Specifically, the amplitude and direction of peaks vary within-and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.”
    • Also stated in: § Experiment 2 Discussion · plain
      “Moreover, as in Experiment 1, the amplitude and direction of peaks vary within-and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Positive TL-BS parameters (Peak, Mean) as well as traditional BS did not predict group status above and beyond neutral mean RT.

    “However, the Positive TL-BS parameters (i.e., Peak, Mean) as well as traditional BS did not predict group status above and beyond neutral mean RT (OR < 1.1, n.s).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Participants smoked a mean of 15.2 cigarettes per day.

    “Participants smoked M(SD) = 15.2 (5.1) cigarettes/day.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In the 500ms block, traditional BS did not explain unique variance above and beyond the TL-BS parameters.

    “Furthermore, traditional BS did not explain unique variance above and beyond the TL-BS parameters.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The sample traditional mean BS was 13.5 ms.

    “Sample traditional mean BS (mean ITmean CT RTs) M(SD) = 13.5(18.8)ms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In the 500ms block, Peak TL-BS POSITIVE did not explain variance in spider phobic group status above and beyond traditional BS.

    “However, Peak TL-BS POSITIVE did not.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Mean RT on neutral trials distinguished between groups, but the fake TL-BS parameters did not distinguish between groups.

    “Finally, though mean RT on neutral trials distinguished between groups (see also Mogg et al., 2008), the”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mogg et al., 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The TL-BS towards parameters explained unique variance in smoking rate above and beyond the effect of traditional mean BS, whereas traditional BS did not explain unique variance in smoking rate beyond the TL-BS towards parameter.

    “Finally, as in Experiment 1, the TL-BS towards parameters explained unique variance in smoking rate above and beyond the effect of traditional mean BS, whereas traditional BS did not explain unique variance in smoking rate beyond the TL-BS towards parameter.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The number of trials between paired IT-CT trials was 2.0.

    “The number of trials between paired IT-CT trials was M(SD) = 2.0 (1.15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The mean number of sequential trials with no calculation of TL-BS was 2.1.

    “The M(SD) number of sequential trials with no calculation of TL-BS = 2.1(.10).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    TL-BS parameters that demonstrate the greatest association are the towards parameters (Mean TL-BS POSITIVE and Peak TL-BS POSITIVE) and the away parameters (Mean TL-BS NEGATIVE and Peak TL-BS NEGATIVE), respectively.

    “As expected, TL-BS parameters that demonstrate the greatest association are the towards parameters -Mean TL-BS POSITIVE and Peak TL-BS POSITIVEand the away parameters -Mean TL-BS NEGATIVE and Peak TL-BS NEGATIVE , respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    TL-BS demonstrated phasic bursts of differential attentional allocation over time and fluctuating temporal variability ranging from AB towards to away from motivationally-relevant aversive and appetitive stimuli.

    “TL-BS demonstrated phasic bursts of differential attentional allocation over time as well as evidence of fluctuating temporal variability ranging from AB towards to away from motivationally-relevant aversive and appetitive stimuli.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Traditional BS demonstrated very low levels of split-half reliability (r Spearman = .06, n.s.), whereas TL-BS parameters demonstrated overall higher levels of reliability.

    “Traditional BS demonstrated very low levels of split-half reliability (r Spearman = .06,n.s.), whereas TL-BS parameters demonstrated overall higher levels of reliability [Mean TL-BS POSITIVE (r Spearman = .67,p < .01);Mean TL-BS NEGATIVE (r Spearman = .58,p < .01);Peak TL-BS POSITIVE ( r Spearman = .44,p < .01;Peak TL-BS NEGATIVE (r Spearman = .31,p < .05);TL-BS Variability (r Spearman = .46,p < .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Traditional BS demonstrated no association with TL-BS away parameters, a small association with TL-BS Variability, and moderate relations with TL-BS towards parameters.

    “We found that traditional BS demonstrated: (a) no association with TL-BS away parameters; (b) a small association with TL-BS Variability; and (c) moderate relations with TL-BS towards parameters.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    The same initial candidate parameters reflecting the time-series trial-level AB expression over time were derived as in Experiment 1.

    “Third, as in Experiment 1, we were able to derive the same initial candidate parameters reflecting the time-series trial-level AB expression over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The magnitude and direction of peaks of smoking-related AB vary within- and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.

    “Furthermore, the magnitude and direction of peaks vary within-and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Traditional BS demonstrated no significant association with TL-BS away parameters; a small association with TL-BS Variability (r = .31); and only moderate relations with TL-BS towards parameters (r's = .49 to .55).

    “First, traditional BS demonstrated no significant association with TL-BS away parameters; a small association with TL-BS Variability (r = .31);and only moderate relations with TL-BS towards parameters (r's = .49to .55).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Neither mean RT on neutral trials nor fake TL-BS computed from neutral were related to smoking rate.

    “Finally, neither mean RT on neutral trials nor”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Observed individual differences in AB expression through TL-BSs revealed that the amplitude and direction of peaks vary within- and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.

    “observed individual differences in AB expression through TL-BSs revealed that the amplitude and direction of peaks vary within-and between-participants, as does the degree of temporal variability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    TL-BS demonstrated phasic bursts of differential attentional allocation over time as well as evidence of fluctuating temporal variability ranging from AB towards and/or away from smoking images.

    “As in Experiment 1, TL-BS demonstrated phasic bursts of differential attentional allocation over time as well as evidence of fluctuating temporal variability ranging from AB towards and/or away from smoking images.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Traditional Bias Score (BS) was computed by subtracting mean CT from mean IT RTs.

    “Traditional Bias Score (BS) was computed by subtracting mean CT from mean IT RTs (MacLeod & Mathews, 1988).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites MacLeod & Mathews, 1988

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Based on the ADIS-IV interview, one participant did not meet the criteria for spider phobia and was excluded.

    “Based on this interview, one participant did not meet the criteria for spider phobia and was excluded.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ) has high internal consistency and good test-retest stability, and adequately discriminates phobic from non-phobic populations.

    “The FSQ has high internal consistency and good test-retest stability, and adequately discriminate phobic from non-phobic populations (Muris & Merckelbach, 1996).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Muris & Merckelbach, 1996

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Research to-date has not directly tested the assumptions of extant quantification of AB nor attempted to evaluate the expression of AB concurrent with its expression in time.

    “Yet, research to-date has not directly tested these assumptions nor attempted to evaluate the expression of AB concurrent with its expression in time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    All participants were screened for spider phobia with the Dutch version of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV).

    “At the beginning of the baseline session, all participants were screened for spider phobia with the Dutch version of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV; Brown, DiNardo, & Barlow, 1994; Dutch translation by Bouman, de Ruiter, & Hoogduin, 1995).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Brown, DiNardo, & Barlow, 1994

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Bouman, de Ruiter, & Hoogduin, 1995

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    In contrast to more heterogeneous clinical populations or threat-related stimuli, extant theory would predict a stable or static signal of AB in spider phobics.

    “Indeed, in contrast to more heterogeneous clinical populations (e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder) or threat-related stimuli, extant theory would predict a stable or static signal of AB in this sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    It is thought that each trial reflects an equivalent sample from the same underlying stable trait-like signal of AB.

    “Put differently, it is thought that each trial reflects an equivalent sample from the same underlying stable trait-like signal of AB.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The anxiogenic stimuli relevant to the specific clinical population provide a strong experimental context to rigorously test the novel hypothesis about AB temporal dynamics.

    “The anxiogenic stimuli relevant to the specific clinical population provide a strong experimental context to rigorously test the novel hypothesis about AB temporal dynamics.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Normative and dysregulated selective attention is a psychological process expressed repeatedly and continuously over time.

    “Indeed, normative and dysregulated selective attention is a psychological process expressed repeatedly and continuously over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Computation of TL-BS enables quantification of novel parameters of AB expression in time.

    “As described in the Introduction, computation of TL-BS enables quantification of novel parameters of AB expression in time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    A second related corollary justifying extant quantification of AB is that each person may either express AB towards or away from motivationally-relevant stimuli.

    “A second related corollary justifying extant quantification of AB is that each person may either express AB towards or away from motivationally-relevant stimuli.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    TL-BS may be further quantified to parameters that may capture novel dynamic features of AB expression, and thus allow empirical tests of TL-BS significance and importance.

    “TL-BS may be further quantified to parameters that may capture novel dynamic features of AB expression, and thus allow empirical tests of TL-BS significance and importance.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Parameters of TL-BS may include individual differences in phasic bursts or peaks of AB expressions; mean levels of TL-BS towards and away from target stimuli; and degree of TL-BS variability in time, across the spectrum of AB.

    “These types of parameters of TL-BS may include: individual differences in phasic bursts or”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Three candidate parameters of trial-level AB permit direct study of TL-BS or AB in time, comparison of TL-BS parameters between groups, and relative to correlates.

    “Accordingly, based on our theorizing regarding the dynamics of AB expression, we identified 3 candidate parameters of trial-level AB that permit direct study of TL-BS or AB in time, comparison of TL-BS parameters between groups, relative to correlates, etc.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Ten of the 45 participants asked to re-schedule session 2; all of these participants then successfully completed session 2.

    “Also, 10 of the 45 participants asked to re-schedule session 2 -this may be due to difficulty in initiating or maintaining the 18-hour smoking deprivation or for unrelated reasons; all of these participants then successfully completed session 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The controlled context-specific appetitive motivational-relevance of the stimuli provides a rigorous context to explore the stability of AB expression in time.

    “As in Experiment 1, the controlled context-specific appetitive motivational-relevance of the stimuli provides a rigorous context to explore the stability of AB expression in time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    CO < 6 PPM indicates that the participant had not smoked in the past 18 hours and is eligible for session 2.

    “CO < 6 PPM indicate that the participant had not smoked in the past 18-hours and eligible for session 2 (Shoptaw et al., 2002).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shoptaw et al., 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Premisecitation

    The visual emotional dot probe task was used to measure AB in Experiment 2.

    “The visual emotional dot probe task (MacLeod et al., 1986) was used to measure AB.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites MacLeod et al., 1986

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Split-half reliability is predominantly examined in the field of AB by randomly splitting task items/trials into two halves.

    “Split-half reliability is predominantly examined in the field of AB by randomly splitting task items/trials into two halves (Waechter et al., 2014;Schmukle et al., 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Waechter et al., 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Schmukle et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    In the case of the TL-BS approach, as in many other behavioral paradigms, order of trials in time is crucial.

    “However, in the case of the TL-BS approach, as in many other behavioral paradigms (e.g.Implicit Association Task), order of trials in time is crucial.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Traditional BS estimation does not likely represent a more valid, less noisy, estimation of AB expression in time.

    “These findings indicate that traditional BS estimation does not likely represent a more valid,”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The computation of TL-BS requires no change in the standard use of the Dot-Probe task, as the input for the calculation is simply RTs and trial type (CT/IT) as in the traditional mean BS estimation.

    “Importantly, the computation of TL-BS requires no change in the standard use of the Dot-Probe task, as the input for the calculation is simply RTs and trial type (CT/IT) as in the traditional mean BS estimation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    TL-BS may also be readily performed for all related tasks in which AB is sampled repeatedly over time, in temporally contiguous contrasting trials.

    “Moreover, TL-BS may also be readily preformed for all related tasks (e.g., modified -spatial cueing,visual search, -stroop, etc.) in which AB is sampled repeatedly over time, in temporally contiguous contrasting trials (e.g., congruent/valid vs. incongruent/invalid vs. neutral).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The computational methodology used to estimate TL-BS or AB in time in the reported experiments represents only one of multiple potential related approaches.

    “the computational methodology used to estimate TL-BS or AB in time in the reported experiments represent only one of multiple potential related approaches.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    TL-BS is a sequential, signal-like series of IT-CT difference scores that reflect AB estimations in time, concurrent with the expressed repeated allocation of attention.

    “TL-BS is thus a sequential, signal-like series of IT-CT difference scores that reflect AB estimations in timeconcurrent with the expressed repeated allocation of attention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: AB expression can be modeled as a time-series signal.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Two temporally contiguous trials are more likely reflective of the same AB signal than are two more temporally distal trials.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The TL-BS computation may be readily performed on any dot probe task data.

    “It is important to note that the TL-BS computation may be readily preformed on any dot probe task data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    To permit sufficient measurement samples of the temporal dynamics of AB and to optimally compute parameters of AB dynamics, the TL-BS computation necessitates a minimum number of trials (at least 40 not including neutral trials).

    “to permit sufficient measurement samples of the temporal dynamics AB and to optimally compute parameters of AB dynamics, the TL-BS computation necessitates a minimum number of trials (e.g., we estimate at least 40 not including neutral trials)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    To compute split-half reliability of the TL-BS parameters, twice as many trials are likely needed (e.g., 80 trials).

    “however, to compute split-half reliability of the TL-BS parameters, twice as many trials are likely needed (e.g., 80 trials).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
52 of 52

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    AB expression can be modeled as a time-series signal.

    “the time-series assumption of AB expression”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Two temporally contiguous trials are more likely reflective of the same AB signal than are two more temporally distal trials.

    “the assumption that two temporally contiguous trials (e.g., trial 8 and 9) are more likely reflective of the same AB signal than are two more temporally distal trials (e.g., trial 8 and trial 18).”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Fear disorder was independently associated with greater AB variability at 200 ms and 500 ms, and also with increased AB to threat on the standard AB index at 200 ms, but not 500 ms.

    “Regression analyses indicated that fear disorder was independently associated with greater AB variability at 200 ms and 500 ms (which suggested rapid fluctuations between vigilance and avoidance), and also with increased AB to threat on the standard AB index at 200 ms, but not 500 ms.”

    From Anxiety and attention to threat: cognitive mechanisms and treatment with attention bias modification (2016) · cites this paper as Zvielli et al., 2014

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentt(62) = 12.59reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “t (62) = 12.59, p < .001”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Self-check results appear here once an independent check has confirmed them.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Bouman T. K., 1991, Gedragstherapie, 24, 77
  2. Brown T. A., 1994, Anxiety disorders interview schedule for DSM-IV: Client interview schedule
  3. Lang P. J., 1997, Attention and orienting: Sensory and motivational processes, 97
  4. Schneider W., 2002, E-prime: User’s guide
  5. 10.1037/a0034834 · DOI · Paper page

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Related

Authors
Zvielli, A., Bernstein, A., & Koster, E. H. W.
Affiliations
  • University of Haifa (IL)
  • Ghent University (BE)
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychological Science
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2014-10-08
Volume
3
Issue
5
Pages
772-788
ISSN
  • 2167-7026 (ISSN-L)
  • 2167-7034
DOI
10.1177/2167702614551572
OpenAlex
W2321542948
Semantic Scholar
22d786bba0e94fb96f717684133a2e227db89e0a
Cited by
237
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 2
FWCI
27.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
  • Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Psychology Beyond Borders
  • European Commission
  • Council for Higher Education
  • University of Haifa
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
Keywords
attentional bias, temporal dynamics, emotional attention, dot-probe task, spider phobia, smoking, smoking cessation, psychopathology, addiction

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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