Usually, this recall is tested via a self-referential encoding task (SRET). This task involves participants reading a list of positive and negative adjectives. They are then asked if each adjective describes them or not. After making these judgments, the participants are asked to recall as many adjectives as possible. Biases are determined by the difference in positive and negative adjectives recalled from the initial list.

Self-Referential Recall

OGM is typically assessed using the autobiographical memory test (AMT), where participants are shown a series of positive and negative cue words. They are then asked to report an autobiographical memory related to each cue. The overgeneral (OGM) aspect of the measure is defined as the difficulty in retrieving specific memories, and therefore giving general experiences instead.

Overgeneral Autobiographical Memory (OGM)

Biased recall is a hallmark found in individuals with depression. Regarding endophenotypes, self-referential and autobiographical memory appear the most relevant. Multiple tasks are implemented to measure these biases. These recall biases are moderately state-dependent, but lack studies on heritability.

Appalachian State University

These endophenotypes are less studied and have a more limited evidence base. Both attention and memory have a prominent role in cognitive models of the etiology of depression. These endophenotypes also have important links to depression-related neural dysfunctions.

Cognitive Endophenotypes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.003

Goldstein, B. L., & Klein, D. N. (2014). A Review of Selected Candidate Endophenotypes for Depression. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(5), 417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.003

Attentional biases are typically measured by reaction time to or time spent looking at an emotional stimulus. Stroop task studies revealed that attentional deficits in depression extend beyond emotional biases. Eye-tracking studies show that depressed individuals spend more time attending to negative stimuli than healthy controls. Conflicting evidence has been found for if attentional tasks are independent of mood state. Despite this promising support, evidence for state-independence is mixed, heritability is mostly unknown, and cosegregation was not supported in relevant studies.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After