An experimental investigation using Cognitive Bias Modification for paranoid attributions in a non-clinical sample: Effects upon interpretation bias, emotions, and paranoia following a stressful paranoia induction.

Background: Bentall, Corcoran, Howard, Blackwood, and Kinderman (2001) suggested that paranoid individuals display an ‘external-personal bias’ of blaming negative events on other people rather than situational circumstances or themselves, however, the literature remains equivocal. This study tested whether Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretations (CBM-I) could train a positive attribution bias and affect subsequent reactions to a stressor designed to induce paranoia. Method: Non-clinical participants were randomly assigned to positive CBM-I training (n = 18), or a neutral control CBM-I (n = 17). Participants were then subject to a stressful paranoia induction: seeing a live video of themselves whilst accessing negative self-beliefs and being given negative feedback when attempting an impossible task. The subsequent effects upon interpretation bias and state paranoia and emotions were assessed. Results: After the paranoia induction, participants in the positive CBM-I group demonstrated a more positive interpretation bias than those in the neutral control group: they endorsed less paranoid interpretations, although there was no difference in ratings of positive interpretations. However, both groups reported a similar increase in state paranoia and suspiciousness after the stressful paranoia induction, and there was no relationship between the trained interpretation bias and the changes in state paranoia. Unexpectedly, pre-existing trait paranoia was correlated with state paranoia and interpretation bias after the stressor. xiv Conclusions: This study demonstrated that CBM-I can train non-clinical participants to endorse less paranoid interpretations. Pre-existing trait paranoia had a stronger relationship to interpretative bias and state paranoia under stress than the CBM-I. The lack of a subsequent effect on emotional reactions suggests that further research is necessary to refine the materials and procedure, and test for possible small or varied effects in a larger sample. Unfortunately, significant methodological problems limit the conclusions that can be drawn about the theory that an externalpersonal attribution bias causes paranoia.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Lodge, Joanna

Language dc:language

en