Dot-probe paradigm

The Dotprobe task ( MacLeod, Mathews, & Tata, 1986) is a method of experimental, cognitive basic research in psychology. Dotprobe tasks are used to certain stimuli in the environment to measure selective attention.

Theoretical background

Dotprobe tasks have their origins in cognitive psychology. Here it is assumed that mental disorders through cognitive distortions in the information processing caused or associated with them. It is believed that these distortions affect the perception, attention and memory. Depression is distorted on one side by dysfunctional, the information processing easily accessible schemes, for example by Beck. Similar, it is assumed in anxiety disorders: phobic stimuli are information processing easily accessible and can distort information processing side.

Due to the difficulty to measure implicit cognitive processes, one usually examined for indicators of cognitive biases in information processing. One of these indicators should represent the attention to stimuli in the environment. For example, to be able to show avoidance behavior to certain stimuli effectively, they should be recognized more quickly in the environment than other, irrelevant stimuli. It is assumed, that lead chronically activated or easily activated information in memory to a unilateral reduction in the thresholds of perception. This would manifest itself in a selective attention to certain stimuli, which are then detected more quickly than others.

The procedure

Dotprobe tasks are performed on the computer. First, the people presented in the center of the screen a fixation cross in order to focus attention on the center screen. Subsequently, two stimuli, such as words or images are presented simultaneously. A stimulus corresponds to a particular target concept, the other stimulus is neutral. Subsequently, one of the two stimuli is replaced by a dot. The object of the person is to respond to the position of the point ( for example by means of a key press ). The people respond faster when the dot replaces the stimulus to which attention has already been drawn. Looking at the example above, one would assume that Spinnenphobiker would react faster if the point "spider" replaced than when the item " table " replaced. This difference would not be expected in non- Spinnenphobikern.

Fields of application

Dotprobe tasks are used in psychology in basic research. In clinical psychology, the task is often used to investigate the causes of emotional disorders. Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the choice of stimuli. Thus, for example, could be shown that Hungry showed selective attention to food, while not occurred in Saturated this attentional bias.