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A behavior-analytic account of cognitive bias in clinical populations

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Abstract

Cognitive bias refers to a well-established finding that individuals who suffer from certain clinical problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, etc.) selectively attend to, remember, and interpret events relevant to their condition. Although a body of literature exists that has tried to examine this phenomenon, most existing explanations are mentalistic and mediational. In this paper we offer a behavior-analytic account of cognitive bias, its development, and how it may contribute to maintenance of clinical problems. This account is based on establishing operations or motivating events, verbal processes, and relational responding. Clinical and future research implications are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, USA

    Alisha M. Wray, Rachel A. Freund & Michael J. Dougher

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  1. Alisha M. Wray
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  2. Rachel A. Freund
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  3. Michael J. Dougher
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Correspondence to Alisha M. Wray.

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This paper was partially supported by a grant funded by the Student Resources Allocation Committee of the Graduate and Professional Student Association at the University of New Mexico.

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Wray, A.M., Freund, R.A. & Dougher, M.J. A behavior-analytic account of cognitive bias in clinical populations. BEHAV ANALYST 32, 29–49 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392174

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