Attentional Biases to Emotional Stimuli: Key Components of the RDoC Constructs of Sustained Threat and Loss

Biased attention to emotional stimuli plays a key role in the RDoC constructs of Sustained Threat and Loss. In this article, we review approaches to assessing these biases, their links with psychopathology, and the underlying neural influences. We then review evidence from twin and candidate gene studies regarding genetic influences on attentional biases. We also discuss the impact of developmental and environmental influences and end with a number of suggestions for future research in this area. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.