Implicit learning, thought-focused attention and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a replication and extension.
Although significant empirical support exists for both cognitive and neurobiological models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there have been few efforts to integrate findings. In this investigation, we attempted to link models by examining relationships between performance on information processing tasks posited to be markers of OCD-related neuropathology and a self-report measure of excessive thought-focused attention (cognitive self-consciousness; CSC). Congruent with predictions and prior research, OCD patients' performance was impaired in comparison to an anxious control group on the Serial Reaction Time (SRT) Task, a measure of implicit procedural learning. Following completion of the SRT, participants' awareness of the embedded stimulus pattern was assessed. As predicted, participants with OCD demonstrated superior performance on this task. Scoring on a measure of CSC correlated with performance on both tasks, although the amount of variance accounted for was modest. Evaluation of OCD symptom subgroups revealed greater procedural learning impairment in a hoarding subgroup. Implications for theory and treatment are discussed.
Goldman
Bari L
BL
Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
Martin
Erin D
ED
Calamari
John E
JE
Woodard
John L
JL
Chik
Heather M
HM
Messina
Michael G
MG
Pontarelli
Noelle K
NK
Marker
Craig D
CD
Riemann
Bradley C
BC
Wiegartz
Pamela S
PS
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome