An implicit pictorial methodology for measuring and retraining smokers' reactivity to pictures of pros and cons of smoking: development protocol

Objectives: The last decades, there has been increased interest in the application of implicit pictorial tasks (e.g. Visual Probe Task (VPT), Approach Avoidance Task (AAT)) to target addictive behaviors. The present study reports on the development of implicit pictorial assessment and modification tasks aimed at targeting cognitive biases underlying motivational smoking-related cognitions (i.e. the pros and cons of smoking).

Methods: Respondents were adult daily smokers not motivated to quit smoking within six months (N = 33). A cross-sectional four-step approach using qualitative and quantitative strategies was utilized to identify and match pictures of pros and cons of smoking.

Results: The study resulted in 30 pro-con picture pairs matched on valence, arousal and complexity: the picture pairs were used to develop a VPT assessment and training for attentional biases and an AAT assessment and training for approach-avoidance biases.

Conclusions: The developed measurement and training tasks will be used to explore and change cognitive biases regarding pros and cons of smoking. This may consequently influence the perceived pros and cons of smoking and yield positive effects with regard to the motivation to quit smoking.