The Effect of Self-Referential Processing on Negative Interpretive Bias Associated with Depression: Evidence from Eye Tracking and Electroencephalography

Document Type : Original Article

Researchers

1 Allameh Tabataba'i University

2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Ministerial Ethics Committee
Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders, often altering how individuals process and interpret information from their surroundings. One of these changes is negative interpretive bias, which refers to the tendency to interpret ambiguous information in a negative way. Research suggests that self-referential processing—the way individuals process information related to themselves—plays a significant role in shaping these biases.



This study aims to examine whether individuals with depression focus more on negative aspects when processing self-related information and how this affects their interpretive bias. To investigate this, we will utilize advanced tools such as Eye-Tracking and Electroencephalography (EEG) to precisely analyze cognitive processing patterns.



Participants will be divided into two groups: depressed and non-depressed. During the experiment, they will be shown ambiguous sentences, followed by two possible interpretations—one positive and one negative. We will assess which interpretation they focus on more while also recording their brain activity to analyze the neural changes associated with this process.

This research seeks to enhance our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying depression and pave the way for more effective therapeutic interventions in the future.

شناسه اخلاق / English