Extended testing with the dot-probe task increases test-retest reliability and validity

Cognitive Processing
Jacob S Aday, Joshua M Carlson

Abstract

The dot-probe task is used to measure attentional biases toward threat. However, the test-retest reliability and validity of the task have been called into question. No studies to date have included an extended number of testing sessions or tailored the task to individual participants by incorporating self-relevant stimuli-doing so may improve reliability. Here, participants provided 10 words that caused them anxiety and 10 neutral words which were incorporated into a dot-probe task for 6 sessions. The test-retest reliability of their bias indices was stronger in bottom-target trials relative to top-target trials and stronger among later relative to earlier sessions. State and trait anxiety were moderately correlated with bias indices in later sessions, but not earlier sessions. Overall reaction time in each session was moderately correlated with state and trait anxiety. These results suggest that including extended testing may facilitate dot-probe task test-retest reliability and validity.

References

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Citations

Jan 24, 2019·Cognitive Processing·Joshua M CarlsonJessica L Thompson
Nov 23, 2019·American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities·Abbie M PopaTony J Simon
May 22, 2020·Journal of Mental Health·Karishma VyasNeil Greenberg
Aug 20, 2021·Psychology Research and Behavior Management·Taiyong BiHui Kou

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
dot-probe

Software Mentioned

Prime2
SPSS

Related Concepts

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