A Question of Control? Examining the Role of Control Conditions in Experimental Psychopathology using the Example of Cognitive Bias Modification Research

The Spanish Journal of Psychology
Simon E BlackwellColin MacLeod

Abstract

While control conditions are vitally important in research, selecting the optimal control condition can be challenging. Problems are likely to arise when the choice of control condition is not tightly guided by the specific question that a given study aims to address. Such problems have become increasingly apparent in experimental psychopathology research investigating the experimental modification of cognitive biases, particularly as the focus of this research has shifted from theoretical questions concerning mechanistic aspects of the association between cognitive bias and emotional vulnerability, to questions that instead concern the clinical efficacy of 'cognitive bias modification' (CBM) procedures. We discuss the kinds of control conditions that have typically been employed in CBM research, illustrating how difficulties can arise when changes in the types of research questions asked are not accompanied by changes in the control conditions employed. Crucially, claims made on the basis of comparing active and control conditions within CBM studies should be restricted to those conclusions allowed by the specific control condition employed. CBM studies aiming to establish clinical utility are likely to require quite different...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 27, 2019·European Journal of Psychotraumatology·Rianne A de KleineAgnes Van Minnen
May 21, 2020·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Fanny Alexandra DietelUlrike Buhlmann
May 31, 2019·European Journal of Psychotraumatology·Marcella L WoudJürgen Margraf
Dec 1, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Marika Tiggemann, Eva Kemps
Nov 18, 2019·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Emma M MacDonaldJanice Kuo
May 14, 2021·Journal of Psychiatric Research·Ragnhild BøNils Inge Landrø
Jul 27, 2021·Cognitive Therapy and Research·Shari A SteinmanBethany A Teachman
Oct 14, 2021·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·Jessica BomyeaCharles Taylor

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