Attentional and interpretative biases in appearance concern: An investigation of biases in appearance-related information processing

Benjamin A Rosser, T Moss, N Rumsey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The present study examined associations between high levels of appearance concern and information processing biases in interpretation and attention. An opportunity sample (N = 79) categorised ambiguous stimuli as related or unrelated to appearance. Participants then responded to the same stimuli in a modified visual dot-probe task assessing attentional bias. Participant responses were assessed in relation to level of appearance concern. The results indicated a valence specific bias towards interpretation of ambiguous stimuli as negative and appearance-related in individuals with higher levels of concern. There was also evidence of attentional bias towards information perceived as appearance-related in participants with higher levels of appearance concern. The study findings suggest that association between appearance-orientated information processing biases and level of appearance concern; this association may lead to mutually reinforcing bias and concern.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-254
Number of pages4
JournalBody Image
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2010

Bibliographical note

appearance adjustment, concern, cognitive bias, information processing

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