Abstract

The dot probe task is a widely used measure of attention allocation to threatening stimuli. The

present two studies examine the reliability of different versions of this task using words as well as

pictures as stimulus material. The aim of the study is to differentiate Dot Probe and Dot Probe (Image) in

males and females and to test and measure selective attention and attentional biases in both genders. In

order to gather data, convenience sampling as used to gather data with 30 respondents, specifically 15

males and 15 females, ages range from 18 to 25 years old. The researchers used the application Psych Lab

101 using smartphones for the measurement of selective attention and attentional biases. The participants

were given two categories. Dot Probe and Dot Probe (Images). In category Dot Probe the participants

were asked to take emotional words and neutral words and under Dot Probe (Image) the participants were

asked to take emotional images and neutral images. The results …………………………

Introduction

Vision, like the other sensory systems, is constrained by its limited capacity of processing.

Attention allows coping with this issue by selecting specific information within our rich and complex

environment that will benefit from more elaborate processing and access to consciousness. (Henderson et

al., 2003) Attentional bias refers to how a person's perception is affected by selective factors in their

attention (Bar-Haim et al., 2007). Attentional bias can be measured using the dot-probe task, by timing the

responses of subjects to threatening, neutral and positive images (normally faces) or words displayed on a

screen. A typical example of this task has subjects shown two words or images for a short period of time

(e.g., 500 ms), after which one of two possible probes appear behind one of the images. Probe placements

are balanced between neutral, negative and positive images or words and mean-reaction times for stimuli

of each emotional valence are compared to the other. Attentional bias towards threat (hypervigilance) is

determined when response times are shorter to probes placed behind threatening stimuli as compared to

neutral or positive stimuli. This would indicate that the subject was drawn to the threatening over the

neutral or positive. The opposite result (attentional avoidance) would indicate a subjects turning away

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 from negative stimuli. The vigilance-avoidance model postulates that anxious individuals initially orient

attention toward threatening stimuli and then subsequently engage in avoidance of these cues to

ameliorate anxiety and fear (Mogg, Mathews, & Weinman, 1987).

One of the most commonly used paradigms to assess attentional bias is the dot probe task, also

referred to as attentional probe task, attentional deployment task, or visual probe paradigm, is a widely

used measure of attention allocation to threatening stimuli. The dot probe task modified to capture

temporal changes in attention (Bardeen & Orcutt, 2011) and using reaction time to identifying discrepant

stimuli embedded in either trauma or neutral stimuli (e.g., Pineles, Shipherd, Mostoufi, Abramovitz, &

Yovel, 2009) In this task, two visual stimuli (one emotional stimulus and one neutral stimulus; either

words, photographs of facial expressions, or pictures of natural scenes) are displayed simultaneously on

the left and right side of a computer screen. AB towards or away from emotional stimuli is respectively

inferred by faster or slower responses to detect a probe replacing an emotional stimulus than a probe

replacing a neutral stimulus. This task, which was developed by MacLeod, Mathews, and Tata (1986), is

based on the fact that individuals tend to respond faster to a probe stimulus (e.g. a small dot) that is

presented in an attended rather than unattended area of a visual display (Navon & Margalit, 1983; Posner,

Snyder, & Davidson, 1980). In a typical version of this task, a series of word pairs is presented briefly on

a computer screen, with one member of the word pair above the other. In critical trials, one word of each

pair is threat related and the other neutral. When the word pair disappears, occasionally a small dot

appears in the position formerly occupied by one of the words. Participants are asked to push a button as

quickly as possible when the dot appears. Attention allocation to threat is measured indirectly by the

reaction times to the dot: fast reactions to dots that replace threat words and slow reactions to dots that

replace neutral words indicate an attentional bias to threat. A large amount of research with different

versions of this task has accumulated that examines the attentional behavior of both clinically anxious

patients and non-clinical participants.

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 The most widely used task for assessing, and more recently for altering, emotional attention

biases are the dot-probe task. The standard dot-probe paradigm presents two lateralized cues, one of

which is subsequently replaced by a probe, which is typically two dots, oriented vertically or horizontally.

Observers are instructed to keep central fixation during the cue period, and respond to the orientation of

the dot-probe as quickly as possible. Fast responses to the probes are taken to index selective attention to

the previous congruent (i.e. same location) cue. The dot probe task is considered by many researchers a

methodologically stronger test of attentional bias than the Stroop color naming task (Placanica, Faunce,

& Job, 2002; see also Lee & Shafran, 2004; Mogg & Bradley, 1998), and it is also deemed to be a superior

and more direct test of allocation of attention and attentional bias (Rieger et al., 1998; Mogg & Bradley,

1998; see also Faunce, 2002).

The rationale underlying this manipulation is that the covert allocation of spatial attention to one

of the two lateralized cues will result in facilitation of the response to a subsequent probe that appears at

the congruent (“attended”) location (Amir et al., 2009).

With the opposing study result of several past researchers, this study will further investigate and

explore attentional biases in selective attention. Its aim is (1) to differentiate the RT between emotional

and neutral material in general and between words and images in general; (i) to differentiate the RT

among the conditions of word neutral; word emotional and image neutral; image emotional; (iii) to test

the main and interaction effects of gender on the tone of material and type of material; (iv) to describe and

present the accuracy for all conditions; finally, (v) to draw conclusions about selective attention and

attentional biases based on the study's findings.

Two hypotheses can be formed regarding the processes mediating dot-probe performance: First,

one may hypothesize that faster dot-probe responses reflect some form of heightened attention to the

preceding cue, deployed in ways that facilitate responding to a subsequent probe. Alternatively, one may

hypothesize that slower responses reflect heightened attentional engagement with the preceding cue,

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 leading to competition and interference with the processing of a different stimulus appearing at the same

location. Given the ambiguous nature of the dot-probe task, it has not been possible to rigorously test

these alternative views based on behavioral measures alone. Together, these considerations raise the

question regarding the neurocognitive processes associated with performance (response speed) in the dot-

probe task.

Method

Participants

A total of 30 respondents participated in this study, 15 males and 15 females, whose ages range

from 18 to 25 years old. Convenience sampling was applied in gathering data. Participants were normally

college students chosen randomly. There are (14) female students, (1) working females and (13) male

students, (2) working males.

Materials

The researchers utilized experiments using a free mobile app Psych Lab 101. Two categories

were given, the Dot Probe and Dot Probe (Images). Under these two categories the participants were

asked to take the standard configuration. The researchers counterbalanced by changing the order in which

the test was done first by the participants. Some did the tests under Dot Probe standard configuration first,

then Dot Probe (Image) standard configuration. The researchers used excel to gather all the data collected

and interpreted using a free statistical software.

Procedure

The participants were instructed to undergo one experiment, the standard configuration. In the

application Psych Lab 101, under the attention and perception tab participants were asked to take the Dot

Probe and Dot Probe (Image) experiment. There are three configurations under Dot Probe and Dot Probe

(Image) but we are instructed to only answer the standard configuration. The instructions are written

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 clearly in the application but the researchers made sure to explain it to the respondents for them to

understand it easily. The researchers were asked to take the experiment in a comfortable and quiet place

where they will concentrate and more focused throughout the study.

Dot Probe Category: There are one configurations under this category. In standard configuration, two

words are presented simultaneously, one on the left side and one on the right side. Then, a red dot appears

either on the left or right side of the screen, and as quickly as possible the participants were asked to

determine which side of the screen the dot appears on and make the appropriate response.

Dot Probe (Image): There are also one configurations under this category. In standard configuration, two

pictures are presented simultaneously, one on the left side and one on the right side of the screen. The

images will disappear and a red dot will appear on either one on the right side of the screen. As quickly as

possible, the participants will determine which side of the screen the dot appears on and make the

appropriate responses.

The participants were asked to focus in responding to the stimulus and follow the instructions

properly and to respond to the stimulus immediately for more accurate results. They will begin the

experiment with an example as a practice once they touch the screen to continue. After the practice

period, the experiment will begin. The researchers ensured to asked the participants through text or

messenger to take the experiment more seriously.

In the six experiments for the Dot Probe and Dot Probe (Image), the standard configuration, the

accuracy of the proportion of errors, and the average reaction time were collected as data.

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 Results

The researchers aim to answer four questions regarding dot probe. First, to differentiate reaction time

between emotional and neutral material in general and words and images in general. Second, to

differentiate the reaction time among word neutral; word emotional; image neutral; image emotional.

Third, to test the main and interaction effects of gender on tone of material (emotional/neutral) and tone

of material (words/images). Lastly, the accuracy for all conditions (descriptive). To answer these four

questions, the researchers used t-Test: Paired Two Sample for Means.

Figure 1.1 DIFFERENCE OF RT BETWEEN WORDS

Figure 1.2 AND IMAGES
(MALE)
DIFFERENCE OF RT BETWEEN WORDS AND WORDS (x) IMAGES (y)
IMAGES (FEMALE)
Mean 709.3333333 673.2666667
WORDS (x) IMAGES (y)
Variance 25047.2381 12969.78095
Mean 778 951.8666667
Observations 15 15
Variance 4666.714286 473486.2667
Pearson Correlation 0.922069428
Observations 15 15
Hypothesized Mean
Pearson Correlation -0.133646744 Difference 0
Hypothesized Mean df 14
Difference 0
t Stat 2.020689408
df 14
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.031433809
t Stat -0.96127171
t Critical one-tail 1.761310115
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.176362587
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.062867618
t Critical one-tail 1.761310115
t Critical two-tail 2.144786681
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.352725174

t Critical two-tail 2.144786681

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