American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The cognitive phenomenon illustrated by a patient who focuses exclusively on negative news and their personal circumstances during therapy is indicative of selective attention bias. This concept refers to the tendency of individuals to concentrate on certain types of information while ignoring other salient details that may be equally or more important. In this context, the patient's focus on negative aspects overwhelms any positive or neutral information that may also be present, leading to a distorted view of their circumstances and feelings.

Selective attention bias can have significant implications for mental health, as it may reinforce negative thought patterns and contribute to conditions such as depression and anxiety. By overlooking positive experiences or potential solutions to their problems, the patient may become entrenched in a negative mindset, making it crucial for the therapist to guide the patient toward a more balanced perspective.

While learned helplessness refers to a condition where individuals feel powerless to change their circumstances, and cognitive dissonance pertains to the mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, and automatic negative thoughts describe intuitive, negative thinking, the specific situation described in the question is best captured by the idea of selective attention bias. This cognitive filter shapes the patient’s perception and highlights the importance of addressing this bias in therapy.