The questionable validity of attention bias variability: Evidence from two conceptually unrelated cognitive tasks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Attention bias variability is thought to measure fluctuations in attention towards and away from threat-related information and is elevated in affective disorders. However, recent evidence suggests that attention bias variability may quantify general reaction time variability rather than attention bias behavior per se.

Methods

The current study calculated "attention bias variability" from two conceptually unrelated cognitive tasks: the dot-probe task (measuring attentional bias) and the arrow flanker task (measuring cognitive control).

Results

Attention bias variability measures were correlated across these unrelated tasks. Yet, when general reaction time variability was controlled, attention bias variability across tasks was no longer correlated. In

SUBMITTER: Carlson JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9851093 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature