The two types of cognitive bias

Attentional bias : People who develop specific phobias are selectively focused on threat- they pay extreme attention to situations and objects that produce fear and anxiety. Even when the object or stimulus is not present, they are hyper vigilant- that is, constantly scanning for the phobic stimulus. ATTENTION ON THREAT Negative appraisal bias : People who develop specific phobias interpret harmless situations and objects as being dangerous- they exaggerate the extent of risk or danger. They underestimate their own ability to cope with the situation and often overgeneralise the danger e.g. ‘There are spiders literally everywhere.’ and catastrophise e.g. ‘I am powerless to stop the fear’.NEGATIVE APPRAISAL BIAS - HARMLESS AS DANGEROUS