Induction of implicit evaluation biases by approach–avoidance training: A commentary on Vandenbosch and De Houwer (this issue)

Abstract

Vandenbosch and De Houwer (this issue) reported a series of failures to induce an implicit evaluation bias by means of an approach–avoidance training paradigm. In this commentary, we point out issues raised by Vandenbosch and De Houwer that we interpret differently or that we would like to emphasise more thoroughly. In addition, we report recent results from a replication study from our lab in which we found the effects in question. Finally, we provide an overview of potential future studies needed to replicate and validate the approach–avoidance training effects.

Keywords:

• Approach–avoidance training
• Implicit and explicit evaluation bias
• Face processing

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Behavioural Science Institute of Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. We are grateful to Tommy van Steen for testing the participants and to Joyce Maas for double-checking data aggregation and analyses.

Notes

¹Please see Woud et al. (2008) for the exact design of the three tasks (i.e., joystick training, affective priming task, and direct face rating).

²Further details about the data preparation and more specific results can be sent on request.