Negative effects of an alternating-bias training aimed at attentional flexibility: a single session study

Attentional Bias Modification (ABM) usually aims to induce automatic biases directed toward or away from certain stimulus categories. An alternative approach, termed Attention Control Training (ACT), uses a similar paradigm but aims to train the ability to exert top-down control over attention and downregulate bottom-up interference. The current study tested a novel Alternating Bias training aimed at training attention control rather than a bias. The training involved switching contingencies, so that the optimal attentional set alternated per block. Assessment and training tasks used neutral and angry faces as emotional stimuli. Results indicated that, rather than improving attention control, the Alternating Bias condition led to increased sensitivity to emotional stimuli, as measured via self-reported emotional reactivity and an Emotional Speeded Choice task. This was interpreted as an effect of enhanced salience: in the Alternating Bias condition, as with usual active ABM conditions, the emotional content of cues is task-relevant and this may increase its salience. This salience side-effect may be relevant to ABM methods. While ACT remains a potentially important avenue for research and treatment, the current results provide a warning that undesirable side effects may occur. Future methods may be able to selectively train flexibility without inducing an increase in salience