Detecting Examinees With Item Preknowledge on Real Data.

Recently, Belov & Wollack (2021) developed a method for detecting groups of colluding examinees as cliques in a graph. The objective of this article is to study how the performance of their method on real data with item preknowledge (IP) depends on the mechanism of edge formation governed by a response similarity index (RSI). This study resulted in the development of three new RSIs and demonstrated a remarkable advantage of combining responses and response times for detecting examinees with IP. Possible extensions of this study and recommendations for practitioners were formulated.

Which variations of a brief cognitive bias modification session for interpretations lead to the strongest effects?

BACKGROUND: Brief computerized programs that train less threatening interpretations (termed Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretations, or CBM-I) can shift interpretation biases and subsequent anxiety symptoms. However, results have been inconsistent, particularly for studies conducted over the Internet. METHODS: The current exploratory study tests 13 variations of a single brief session of CBM-I, a non-CBM-I cognitive flexibility condition, a neutral condition, and a no task control condition in an analogue sample with moderate to severe anxiety. RESULTS: Results suggest that all conditions, except the neutral scenarios condition and the alternative way to improve cognitive flexibility, led to changes in interpretations (when compared to the no task control condition). Only conditions geared toward increasing imagery during CBM-I and targeting flexibility related to emotional material differed from the no task control condition on other post-training measures. CONCLUSIONS: Presenting valenced interpretations of ambiguous information during brief CBM-I, regardless of the format, can lead to changes in interpretation bias. However, most conditions did not differ from the no task control condition on other post-training assessments (and differences that did occur may be due to chance). Future trials should consider further testing of CBM-I that targets flexibility related to emotional material, and should include an increased number of sessions and trials.