The Science: Attention Bias Modification (ABM)

This game is a form of Attention Bias Modification (ABM), sometimes called a “Visual Dot-Probe Task.” It’s a Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) technique designed to retrain your automatic attention habits.

In anxiety, the brain develops an “attention bias”—it becomes hyper-vigilant and automatically “sticks” to threatening information (like an angry face, a “trigger”). This game helps reverse that bias by repeatedly training you to disengage from the threat cue and shift your focus to the neutral one. Over time, this can help reduce the automatic “pull” that triggers have on your attention.

Who can benefit from this game?

This exercise may be helpful for:

• Individuals with social anxiety who are highly sensitive to perceived negative expressions.
• People with general anxiety who find their attention “hijacked” by negative thoughts.
• Anyone looking to practice cognitive control and attention shifting.

Scientific Effectiveness & References

This is an evidence-informed skills trainer. ABM has been widely studied as a potential tool to reduce anxiety by directly targeting the underlying cognitive bias of attending to threats.

• MacLeod, C., Mathews, A., & Tata, P. (1986). Attentional bias in emotional disorders. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(1), 15–20.
• Hakamata, Y., et al. (2010). Attention bias modification treatment: a meta-analysis of results from randomized controlled trials. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(6), 991–1010.