The Rise and Fall of the Dot-Probe Task: Opportunities for Metascientific Learning
Authors
Benjamin T. Sharpe, Monika Halls, Thomas E. Gladwin
Full text (open access)
Abstract
Much of the extensive literature on spatial attentional bias is built on measurements using the dot-probe task. In recent years, concerns have been raised about the psychometric properties of bias scores derived from this task. The goal of the current paper is to look ahead and evaluate possible responses of the field to this situation from a metascientific perspective. Therefore, educated guesses are made on foreseeable but preventable future (repeats of) errors. We discuss, first, the issue of overreactions to the disappointing findings, especially in the context of the potential of a new generation of promising variations on the traditional dot-probe task; second, concerns with competition between tasks; and third, the misuse of rationales to direct research efforts. Alternative directions are suggested that may be more productive. We argue that more adequately exploring and testing methods and adjusting scientific strategies will be critical to avoiding suboptimal research and potentially failing to learn from mistakes. The current articulation of arguments and concerns may therefore be of use in discussions arising around future behavioural research into spatial attentional bias and more broadly in psychological science.
Date
Nov, 2022
Author Biography
Benjamin Sharpe is a cognitive scientist and lecturer in psychology. He is currently focusing on applying visual and cognitive psychology to understand the contributors of successful performance in a range of applied (i.e., military, lifeguards) and sporting (i.e., esport athletes) domains.
Monika Halls, GMBPsS, is a mental health recovery worker with an MSc in Psychology. In her work she helps people with mental health problems such as EUPD, schizophrenia, ASD, and OCD, among others, to maximise their potential and remain independent in our society.
Thomas Gladwin currently works as a user researcher in the private sector. His scientific research has primarily concerned automatic and reflective cognitive processing and their role in mental health.
Donations
The authors would like to ask those who appreciated this article to consider donating to Sage House: https://www.dementiasupport.org.uk/donate.
Citation
Benjamin T. Sharpe, Monika Halls, Thomas E. Gladwin (2022). The Rise and Fall of the Dot-Probe Task: Opportunities for Metascientific Learning. Seeds of Science. https://doi.org/10.53975/i2gp-smbp
Area(s)
Psychology