Unreliability of the dot probe task

Author: Schmukle, Stefan C.

Source: European Journal of Personality, Volume 19, Number 7, December 2005 , pp. 595-605(11)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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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. Estimates of both internal consistency and retest reliability over one week lead to the conclusion that the dot probe task is a completely unreliable measure of attentional allocation in non-clinical samples. This unreliability may explain the inconsistent findings for the dot probe task as reported in the literature. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: attentional bias; attention allocation; dot probe task; reliability

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1002/per.554

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