Interpretation bias towards vague faces in individuals with paranoid personality disorder traits

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty member, Department of Psychology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: According to the social cognitive theories, information processing biases can play an important role in social perception, interpretation of interpersonal relationships, and social interactions. These theories along with cognitive theories emphasize on information processing i.e. the way in which people perceive and interpret external stimuli in different ways. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate interpretation bias towards vague faces in individuals with paranoid personality traits.
Materials and Methods: In this causal-comparative study (2012-13), 40 individuals with paranoid personality disorder traits and 40 normal individuals referred to the Counseling Center affiliated with Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in Iran were selected by using simple randomized sampling. The participants completed Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III; 1994) and vague facial images for perceptive bias (2012). Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: The results showed that there was significant difference between individuals with paranoid personality disorder traits and normal individuals in terms of interpretation of vague faces (P=0.0001).
 Conclusion: Individuals with paranoid personality traits have more biases than normal individuals in terms of interpreting vague faces. The results of this study indicated the importance of attention to cognitive biases among individuals with paranoid personality traits or paranoid personality disorder because such biases can significantly influence behavioral patterns in individuals, and consequently degrade their functioning. Also, bias towards the processing of negative signs appears to be the most important cognitive element is involved in interpersonal relationships.

Keywords

Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 19, Issue 6
November and December 2017
Pages 599-605

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