Automatization and familiarity in repeated checking

Perseveration causes automatization of checking behavior in obsessive-compulsive disorder

“…This switch from perceptual to conceptual processing could be the underlying mechanism of the paradoxical perseveration phenomenon. Extrapolating from this work, Dek et al (2014) proposed that the paradoxical effects of perseveration might be the result of automatization of the checking procedure. Dek et al (2014) suggested that practice (i.e., the repetitive act of checking), as well as increased familiarity with the stimuli and the act of checking itself, lead to automatization of checking behavior.…”

“…Extrapolating from this work, Dek et al (2014) proposed that the paradoxical effects of perseveration might be the result of automatization of the checking procedure. Dek et al (2014) suggested that practice (i.e., the repetitive act of checking), as well as increased familiarity with the stimuli and the act of checking itself, lead to automatization of checking behavior. To investigate automatization, they focused on efficiency, which is a feature of automaticity that pertains to the extent of demands on attentional resources (Bargh, 1994).…”

“…In sum, repeated checking leads to automatization in non-clinical samples. Dek et al (2014) also tested if defamiliarization leads to deautomatization of the checking procedure. Stimulus familiarization is reached by prolonged contact with that specific stimulus.…”

“…De-automatization was operationalized as less efficient (slower) performance on the checking task and the RT task at the post-test, compared to the relevant checking condition. Dek et al (2014) also predicted that defamiliarization (by modifying the background color of the stimuli at the post-test) would reduce the negative effects of repeated checking on metamemory. This was not found, and the authors suggested that the modification procedure may have been too weak.…”

“…Dek et al (2014) suggested that this is caused by increased familiarity with the checked stimuli. They predicted that defamiliarization of checking by modifying the perceptual characteristics of stimuli would cause deautomatization and attenuate the negative meta-memory effects of re-checking.…”