Threat Blinkers

Threat Blinkers (v2) | PsychKit™ Games

Threat Blinkers

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Welcome to Threat Blinkers

This is a fast exercise to help train your attention. You’ll be shown a “crowd” of faces.

How to Play:

  1. A 3×3 grid of 9 faces will appear.
  2. Your goal is to find the one calm or positive face (like 🙂) among all the threat faces (like 😠).
  3. Tap the calm face to score a point.
  4. Tapping a threat face counts as a lapse.
  5. You will play 15 rounds. The goal is to train your brain to find the positive.
Round
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Lapses
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Practice Complete!

Great work! You finished 15 rounds of attention training.

Score:

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Lapses:

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About This Game

The Science: Attention Bias Modification (ABM)

When we feel anxious, our brains often develop an “attention bias” for threats. Like a faulty spotlight, our attention automatically gets “stuck” on negative things—an angry face in a crowd or a worrying thought.

This game is a cognitive exercise built on Attention Bias Modification (ABM). It works by forcing you to do one thing: disengage from a grid full of “threat” cues (😠) and find the single “calm” cue (🙂).

By practicing this “find the positive” pattern, you are actively retraining a deep mental habit. You’re building cognitive “muscle” and teaching your brain’s “spotlight” to be more flexible.

Who can benefit from this game?

This exercise may be helpful for:

  • People who find their attention often “stuck” on negative thoughts or possibilities.
  • Individuals managing anxiety who notice they are hyper-aware of potential threats.
  • Anyone wanting to practice and strengthen their ability to find “signals of safety” in their environment.

Scientific Effectiveness

This is an evidence-informed skills trainer, not a standalone cure. ABM is a well-researched technique, particularly for anxiety. Studies show it can have small-to-moderate effects in reducing anxiety symptoms by changing these negative attention patterns.

References:

  • Hakamata, Y., et al. (2010). Attention bias modification treatment: a meta-analysis of anxiety and depression. *Biological Psychiatry, 68*(11).
  • Hallion, L. S., & Ruscio, A. M. (2011). A meta-analysis of the effect of cognitive bias modification on anxiety and depression. *Psychological Bulletin, 137*(6).

⚠️ Important Warning & Disclaimer

This game is an educational tool, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your psychologist or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a mental health condition.

Limitation of Liability & No Guarantee

This game is provided “as-is” by Joyful Psych Labs, without any warranties. It is not therapy and does not constitute medical advice. By using this game, you agree that you are doing so at your own risk. Joyful Psych Labs and PsychKit™ are not liable for any outcomes, damages, or distress that may result from its use. You are solely responsible for your actions and well-being.

© 2025 Joyful Psych Labs. All rights reserved.

🆘 Emergency Support Information

PsychKit™ does not provide crisis intervention. If you are in a crisis, call your local emergency number.

Global Helplines:

  • India (Tele MANAS): 1800-891-4416
  • USA & Canada: Call or text 988
  • UK: Call 111
  • Australia (Lifeline): 13 11 14

How to Play: Threat Blinkers

Welcome! This is a quick exercise to help train your attention.

  1. Your Goal: A 3×3 grid of faces will appear. Your task is to find the one neutral or positive (non-threatening) face (like 🙂 or 😐).
  2. How to Play: Tap the non-threatening face as quickly as you can.
  3. Feedback: You’ll see a green flash for a correct tap and a red flash for an incorrect one. Don’t worry about mistakes!
  4. The Game: The game will move quickly through 15 rounds.

The aim isn’t perfection. It’s about the practice of shifting your focus to what feels supportive and calm.

The Science: How This Game Works (Attention Bias Modification)

When we feel anxious, our brains often develop an “attention bias” for threats. Like a faulty spotlight, our attention automatically gets “stuck” on negative things—an angry face in a crowd, a critical word in an email, or a worrying “what if” thought.

“Threat Blinkers” is a cognitive exercise built on the principle of Attention Bias Modification (ABM).

Its mechanism is simple but specific:

  • It creates a “virtual crowd” of threatening (angry) faces.
  • It forces you to disengage from all of them.
  • It rewards you for orienting to the single neutral or positive face.

By practicing this “look away from threat, look toward neutral” pattern dozens of times in a row, you are actively retraining a deep-seated mental habit. You’re building cognitive “muscle” and teaching your brain’s “spotlight” to be more flexible and less automatic, which can help reduce the pull of anxious triggers in your daily life.

Scientific Effectiveness & References

This game is an evidence-informed skills trainer, not a standalone cure.

Attention Bias Modification (ABM) is a well-researched technique, particularly for anxiety. Studies (like the meta-analyses listed below) show that it can have small-to-moderate effects in reducing anxiety symptoms and changing these negative attention patterns.

Its effectiveness is often highest when used as a supplement to other therapies (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or as a skill-building tool to support your overall mental health journey.

Key References:

  • Hakamata, Y., et al. (2010). Attention bias modification treatment: a meta-analysis of anxiety and depression. Biological Psychiatry, 68(11), 982-990.
  • Hallion, L. S., & Ruscio, A. M. (2011). A meta-analysis of the effect of cognitive bias modification on anxiety and depression. Psychological Bulletin, 137(6), 940–958.
  • Heeren, A., Mogoaș, C., & Philippot, P. (2015). A systematic review of the effects of quantitative and qualitative manipulations in attention bias modification protocols on anxiety. Clinical Psychology Review, 40, 19-31.

⚠️ Important Warning & Disclaimer

PsychKit™ Games are designed as educational tools and skills-practice aids only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

  • Always seek the advice of your psychologist, doctor, or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health symptoms.
  • Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or experienced on this website.
  • This game is intended to help you practice a cognitive skill; it does not promise to cure any condition. If you feel overwhelmed at any time, please stop the game and use a grounding technique.

🆘 Emergency Support Information

PsychKit™ does not provide crisis intervention services.

If you are in a crisis, in emotional distress, or believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call your local emergency number (e.g., 112 in India, 911 in the US) or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

For non-emergency support, you can contact a helpline:

  • In India: Contact Kiran (the Government of India’s 24/7 mental health helpline) at 1800-891-4416.
  • Globally: You can find a crisis line for your country by visiting Find a Helpline.