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Inducing an interpretation bias changes self-imagery: a preliminary investigation
Colette R Hirsch1, Andrew Mathews, David M Clark
1Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. c.hirsch@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|December 21, 2006
Summary
Practicing negative social outcomes biases self-images toward negativity. This suggests inferential biases and self-image content interact, potentially maintaining social anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Self-imagery influences emotional interpretations of social situations.
- Previous research focused on self-imagery affecting social interpretations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate if inducing an inferential bias can alter self-related imagery content.
- Examine the reciprocal relationship between inferential biases and self-images.
Main Methods:
- Participants practiced accessing negative or positive social outcomes.
- Self-images were reported during subsequent ambiguous social situations.
- Judges and participants rated the negativity of self-images.
Main Results:
- Prior practice with negative outcomes led to more negative self-images.
- Negative outcome practice increased anticipated anxiety and decreased expected social performance.
- No differences in state anxiety levels were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Inferential biases can indeed change self-image content.
- The interaction between inferential biases and self-images may perpetuate social anxiety.
- Findings support a feedback loop model for social anxiety maintenance.
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