The article below may contain offensive and/or incorrect content.
The visual probe task (VPT) is a computerized task used to measure attentional bias to substance-related stimuli. Little research has examined the psychometric properties of the VPT, despite concerns it demonstrates poor test–retest reliability and internal consistency. These issues can reduce confidence in inferences based on VPT performance. As such, we attempted to identify parameters under which the reliability of the alcohol VPT might be improved by applying recent empirical recommendations for outlier handling, bias calculation, and task design from the anxiety literature. We reanalyzed data from 3 previously published studies in our laboratory and 2 newly collected data sets. We compared tasks which presented images on the left/right of the screen to above/below, whether participants responded to the location or content of the probe, and whether general alcohol-related images or images personalized to the individual were used. In each VPT we also applied a priori outlier removal (2 and 3 standard deviations and median absolute difference) and data-driven outlier removal (winsorizing), in addition to calculating trial-level bias scores. Across all studies and tasks internal consistency and test–retest reliability of attentional bias measures were inadequate. There was no consistent improvement in internal consistency or test–retest reliability as a function of outlier removal methods. We were unable to demonstrate adequate reliability of the alcohol VPT, which further supports observations that these tasks may not yield reliable measures. Future research should focus on improving the reliability of these tasks or abandoning them in favor of more reliable alternatives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)





Departments
Authors
Libraries
Current Articles
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Video » The NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker Series: Advancing Therapies for Central Nervous System Disorders
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Scientific Meeting » The NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker Series: Advancing Therapies for Central Nervous System Disorders
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: How schools meet the needs of students crushed by stress, depression
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Losing a long-term spouse can be deadly
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Blog Post » One Year In: COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Is COVID-19 the rock in David’s slingshot that will bring down Goliath?
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: CDC says racism is a 'serious threat' to public health
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Challenges and innovations in Guatemala’s psychology
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Group therapy can provide meaningful connection during COVID-19 loneliness
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Covid-19 linked to depression and dementia
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Stress on the front lines of Covid-19
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Scientific Meeting » Virtual Workshop: Integrating Genomics with Dimensional and Transdiagnostic Approaches to Advance Mental Health Research
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Augmenting exposure therapy: International collaboration and technological innovation for specific phobia
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: What are the 3 levels of autism?
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: How to reach out when someone you know may be at risk of suicide
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Five questions for Michael Kraus
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Meeting the demand for services
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Preparing for leadership
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Benefits of virtual psychotherapy groups for students during COVID-19
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Airbnb launches inclusive virtual experiences for neurodiverse guests