Running Head: ATTENTIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE BIAS PSYCHOLOGY 1

Attentional and Interpretive Bias Psychology

Name

Institution
ATTENTIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE BIAS PSYCHOLOGY 2

Attentional and Interpretive Bias Psychology

Mood is a state of emotion, while Anxiety is a disorder of nervous which is characterized

by excessive uneasiness as well as apprehension, normally with either behavior that are

compulsive or sometime panic attack. Depression is the feeling of sadness, moody, helpless, or

worthless varying from time to time. Depression may last for several days and it keeps one from

operating normally (Hallion, and Ruscio, 2011).

Mood may influence learning as well as memory by affecting perception, emotion and

perception. Prolonged exposure to moods, which are negative, or environment, which is

stressful, may affect learning or memory. Personal learning and memory may be affected by a

bad mood that can also hinder the performance of individual resulting to poor making of decision

(Bowler, 2012). While encouraging that is positive may enhance good memory and learning

leading to creativity as well as problem solving.

If I happened to be travelling by airplane during the attack of world trade of New York,

am sure I could not pay attention to other passengers because I would be suffering from anxiety

and depression. Not only that I know even other travelers could be suffering from the same while

some of them might have panic. Anxiety and depression can be increased due to the feeling of

vulnerable as well as overwhelmed. In other cases while travelling, sleep loss can cause

stabilization of mood ( Browning et al 2010)..

Therefore, anxiety and depression may interfere with the people’s altitude , thoughts, and

interpretation. In addition, the way people tend to remember information may also increase

depression. Thus, depression is said to be characterized by elaboration of information, which is

negative or disengaging in negative information that is difficult hence preventing people from an

ordinary life( Brosan, et al2011).

ATTENTIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE BIAS PSYCHOLOGY 3

Reference

Bowler, J. O., Mackintosh, B., Dunn, B. D., Mathews, A., Dalgleish, T., & Hoppitt, L. (2012). A

comparison of cognitive bias modification for interpretation and computerized cognitive

behavior therapy: Effects on anxiety, depression, attentional control, and interpretive

bias. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 80(6), 1021.

ATTENTIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE BIAS PSYCHOLOGY 4

Brosan, L., Hoppitt, L., Shelfer, L., Sillence, A., & Mackintosh, B. (2011). Cognitive bias

modification for attention and interpretation reduces trait and state anxiety in anxious

patients referred to an out-patient service: Results from a pilot study. Journal of Behavior

Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 42(3), 258-264.

Browning, M., Holmes, E. A., & Harmer, C. J. (2010). The modification of attentional bias to

emotional information: A review of the techniques, mechanisms, and relevance to

emotional disorders. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 10(1), 8-20.

Hallion, L. S., & Ruscio, A. M. (2011). A meta-analysis of the effect of cognitive bias

modification on anxiety and depression. Psychological bulletin, 137(6), 940.