Information Processing in PTSD: Evidence for Biased Attentional, Interpretation, and Memory Processes

Abstract

This comprehensive review surveys current literature on information processing biases in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The review is organized by information processing systems including attention, judgment and interpretation, and memory. Studies outlined suggest that information processing biases may be key factors involved in the development and maintenance of PTSD. However, inconsistencies exist in the literature within each domain, often depending on assessment paradigm employed or other methodological features. Studies on attention bias demonstrate both facilitated engagement toward and difficulty disengaging from threatening stimuli. Literature on judgment and interpretation biases indicates that those with PTSD are more likely to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening, in addition to over-estimating subjective risk. Memory studies reveal mixed findings; a number of studies found that those with PTSD exhibit a bias toward remembering trauma-relevant or negative stimuli compared to those without PTSD, while others do not replicate this effect. Existing evidence for information processing biases in each of these domains are integrated and future directions for empirical study outlined.