Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether a reasoning bias ('jumping to conclusions'; JTC) found to be associated with higher levels of conviction in delusions is also associated with high-conviction beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). DESIGN: The experimental design was mixed-effects, with one between-subjects factor of group and one within-subjects factor of task. METHODS: Participants were 16 people with high-conviction OCD (≥ 50%), 16 people with low-conviction OCD (< 50%), 16 people with delusions (≥ 50% conviction), and 16 non-clinical controls. JTC was assessed using a neutral probabilistic reasoning task (beads task) and a version involving words of differing emotional salience (words task). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in draws to decision on the beads task between the high-conviction OCD group, the low-conviction OCD group, and the non-clinical controls. The delusions group made significantly fewer draws to decision compared to the non-clinical controls on the words task but not the beads task and significantly fewer draws on both tasks compared with the combined OCD group. Emotionally salient material (words task) did not affect draws to decision in any group. CONCLUSIONS: JTC is associated with delusions but not high-conviction beliefs in OCD. The cognitive processes associated with high-conviction beliefs in OCD and psychosis may not be trans-diagnostic. This is consistent with the view that high-conviction OCD should not be classified as a psychotic disorder.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.2044-8260.2011.02014.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Clin Psychol

Publication Date

03/2012

Volume

51

Pages

84 - 99

Keywords

Adult, Culture, Decision Making, Delusions, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Problem Solving, Task Performance and Analysis