Evaluating the States of Mind Model: Comparison to an Alternative Model and Effects of Method of Cognitive Assessment

Authors

Richard G. Heimberg, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Monroe A. Bruch, University at Albany, State University of New York
Debra A. Hope, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Mark Dombeck, University at Albany, State University of New York

ORCID IDs

Debra A. Hope

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

12-1990

Citation

Cognitive Therapy and Research 14:6 (December 1990), pp. 543–557.

doi: 10.1007/BF01173363

Comments

Copyright © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation/Kluwer/Springer. Used by permission.

Abstract

Two studies were conducted evaluating aspects of the States of Mind (SOM) Model proposed by Schwartz (1986; Schwartz & Garamoni, 1986, 1989) with a sample of social phobic subjects. First, the SOM ratio [positive thoughts/(positive + negative thoughts)] based on a thought-listing task was compared to a ratio based on Kendall and Hollon’s (1981) “power-of-nonnegative-thinking” model [negative thoughts/(positive + negative + neutral thoughts)], and the relationship of each ratio to criterion measures was assessed. The two ratios were highly correlated and related to several criterion measures, raising questions about the role of neutral thoughts in the internal dialogue. Second, SOM ratios derived from a thought-listing task and from the Social Interaction Self-Statement Test (SISST) were compared to assess the reactivity of the SOM ratio and classification scheme to method of cognitive assessment. In that study, large differences were detected. SISST SOMs were less likely to classify subjects in the more pathological SOM categories and more likely to be significantly related to criterion measures. Findings are discussed in the context of the validity of the SOM model and the effects of cognitive assessment methodology on the magnitude of derived self-statement ratios.