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An attentional scope model of rumination
Anson J Whitmer1, Ian H Gotlib
1Department of Psychology.
Psychological Bulletin
|December 19, 2012
Summary
Rumination, or repetitive negative thinking, is linked to cognitive control issues. An attentional scope model explains how a narrowed focus in working memory contributes to rumination and major depression.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Rumination, repetitive negative thinking, is a significant risk factor for major depression.
- Individual differences in cognitive control influence the tendency towards repetitive negative thoughts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on cognitive processes underlying rumination.
- To propose an "attentional scope model" to explain anomalous cognitive control in rumination.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on trait and state rumination.
- Analysis of cognitive control, working memory (WM), and attentional processes.
Main Results:
- Trait rumination is associated with both working memory updating difficulties and enhanced attention to relevant information.
- State rumination correlates with broad cognitive control deficits.
- Existing models fail to explain these contradictory findings.
Conclusions:
- The "attentional scope model" posits that a constricted activation array in working memory underlies trait rumination.
- This model explains rumination's link to negative mood and generates new predictions.
- Understanding these cognitive mechanisms is crucial for addressing depression.
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