title: A comparison of attentional bias towards drug cues in addicts and non-addicts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to recent theories on addiction, attentional bias towards drug-related stimuli plays a pivotal role in the initiation of drug abuse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study attempted to investigate attentional bias towards drug-related words in addicts and non-addicts.
  
  
  METHODS
  To attain the objectives, following a causal-comparative study, a number of 15 addicts under treatment in anonymous groups, and 15 non-addicts from among students at Isfahan University were selected through available sampling. Both groups were evaluated through Stroop test, and the results were analyzed adopting independent t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  as indicated by the findings, a significant difference was observed in the two groups concerning color-naming accuracy (P < 0.05, X(2) (1) = 3.896) as well as reaction time (P < 0.0001, X(2) (1) = 17.404). The calculated difference between accuracy and reaction time for congruent and incongruent stimuli was significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that there was a significant difference between the average reaction time of the two groups. In terms of the number of errors, however, no significant difference was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The attentional bias of drug addicts is associated with drug-related cues or the temptation for drug abuse.
authors: Department of General Psychology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Seyedeh Narjes
authors: SN
authors: Zamani
authors: Department of General Psychology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Houri
authors: H
authors: Mansouri
authors: Department of General Psychology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Fazilatpour
authors: Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Bandar Abbas, Bandar Abbas, IR Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Shamsai
keywords: Attentional Focus; Stroop Test; Substance-Related Disorders
references: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2002 Jul 1;67(2):185-91
references: 12095668
references: Addict Behav. 2002 Jul-Aug;27(4):471-82
references: 12188586
references: J Abnorm Psychol. 2003 May;112(2):212-8
references: 12784830
references: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1996 Jun;125(4):285-345
references: 8826538
references: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004 Nov;176(3-4):353-61
references: 15164158
references: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2009 May 1;101(3):137-45
references: 19193499
references: Addict Behav. 2000 Jan-Feb;25(1):139-43
references: 10708329
references: Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1993 Sep-Dec;18(3):247-91
references: 8401595
references: Trends Cogn Sci. 2000 Oct 1;4(10):383-391
references: 11025281
references: Psychol Bull. 1996 Jul;120(1):3-24
references: 8711015