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Lowered responsiveness and auditory signal detectability during depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. R. L. Malone  and
D. R. Hemsley
J. R. L. Malone
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London
D. R. Hemsley*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
2Address for correspondenc: Dr D.R. Hemsley, Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8Af.
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Synopsis

Ten depressed patients were assessed on an auditory signal detection task; testing was repeated on remission. The patients' clinical state was monitored by means of the Hamilton rating scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The task was performed under three conditions: 2 button (Yes/No); 1 button (Yes); 1 button (No). The findings indicated lower motor responsiveness during depression, consistent with Seligman's learned helplessness model. The measure of auditory sensitivity was also lowered during depression, possibly attributable to attentional disturbance. It is suggested that the lowered initiation of voluntary responses may be an important factor in the assessment of cognitive functioning during depression; such deficits may be reduced if the task does not permit the omission of a response.

Type
Preliminary Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , November 1977 , pp. 717 - 722
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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