Memory bias, confidence and responsibility in compulsive checking

Recent research suggests that there is a positive memory bias for threateni ng information in compulsive cleaners. However, the relationship between OC D and memory is likely to be more complex when the compulsive behaviour is checking. Hence, we decided to explore this relationship in a clinical samp le of people who check compulsively. Participants completed a diagnostic in terview and were then asked to complete a standard 'baseline' check which n ormally causes distress/discomfort. Two additional checks were then complet ed-one under conditions of high responsibility and one under low responsibi lity. The order of responsibility manipulation was randomized across partic ipants. After each check, participants completed a Memory and Confidence In terview which assessed memory for threat-relevant and threat-irrelevant asp ects of the check, and also confidence in memory for the check. One week la ter, participants came into the laboratory to complete additional Memory an d Confidence Interviews after watching a videotape of the checks completed earlier in their own homes. These videotaped checks were taken as condition s of 'no responsibility'. Results show a positive memory bias for threat-re levant information. As responsibility was inflated, this positive memory bi as was amplified. Under conditions of no responsibility, no memory bias was detectable. Also, responsibility appears to have had a greater impact on c onfidence in memory than on memory itself in OCD. The results are discussed in terms of the mnestic deficit theory of OCD and in terms of cognitive-be havioural approaches to understanding the disorder. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. All rights reserved.