title: Availability bias in clinical formulation: the first idea that comes to mind.
abstract: This study tested whether initial client formulations are based simply on the ideas that come most readily to mind, irrespective of the validity of these ideas. This phenomenon is known in decision theory literature as availability bias. The study tested the influence of two possible sources of availability bias in formulation: (a) theoretical orientation; and (b) a suggestion in a referral letter. Forty-four qualified and 20 trainee clinical psychologists participated in a procedure designed to reflect clinical practice. Clinical materials consisted of a fictional referral letter describing a client with adult attachment difficulties and post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants recalled information from the referral letter, described their areas of further interest and initial hypotheses. Results showed no evidence of an availability bias in clinical formulation as a result of theoretical orientation. Theoretical orientation towards attachment did appear to influence the availability of attachment ideas and predicted clinicians taking a stronger attachment focus when discussing the client. In particular, a self-report measure of theoretical orientation demonstrated high predictive validity. However, orientation towards attachment did not predict bias in the sense of selective recall of attachment information or neglect of alternative psychological frameworks. The study provided an inadequate test of availability bias as a result of a suggestion in the referral letter, possibly due to a ceiling effect, and no conclusions can be drawn as to clinical materials as a potential source of availability bias. The discussion addresses implications for further research and for a scientist-practitioner approach to individual case formulation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Waddington
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D003662:Decision Theory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008606:Mental Processes; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy