OCD CC padlock 5.5 1.25 4

plug 6.75 2.25 3.67 shower 5.75 6.5 6.00 bath full 7.00 5.00 4.00 boiling pot 8.00 2 3 5 3.33 bolt 7.00 4.25 3.67 broken wire 1 8.25 3.25 2 3 3 broken wire 2 8 3 5 4.25 2.00 candle 1 7.00 2.75 7.33 candle 3 7.25 5.00 3.33 car 1 7.25 3.50 3.67 car mirror 1 7.00 1.75 4.00 check light 7.75 3.25 3.67 cigarette 2 8.00 6.00 2.00 door latch 1 7.25 4.75 3.00 door latch 2 7.50 3.75 4.67 door lock 1 8.00 3.25 3.33 door open 2 7.00 3.00 3.67 door open 3 7.00 2.50 3.67 electric hob on 7.75 2.50 3.67 electric socket 1 8.75 3.50 2 3 3 electric socket 2 8.00 5.25 3 3 3 electric socket 3 7.75 3.25 3.00 gas fire 7.75 4.00 5.00 gas hob on 7.25 1.75 4.00 hair dryer on 7.25 4.25 3 3 3 iron on 1 8.25 3.00 3.67 iron on 2 8.00 2.75 4.67 kettle on 7.25 2.50 5.00 knife 7.00 5.50 3.00 light switch 1 7.00 3.75 3 3 3 log fire 8 4.75 6.00 m edication 1 7.25 3.5 3.00 overflow 1 8 4.75 3 3 3 overflow 2 8 4.5 3.00 padlock closed 7.25 5.75 4.00 pot on 7.75 2 5.33 straighteners 1 8.5 2.75 4.33 straighteners 2 8.5 3 4.00 tap on 3 7.50 6.00 4.33 toaster on 8.25 4.50 5.00 w indow open 3 7.25 2.5 4.00

Appendix G: Filler Tasks

Examples of spatial aptitude filler tasks

Find out which o f the figures (1), (2), (3) and (4) can be formed from the pieces given in figure (X).

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W h i c h i s t h e o d d o n e o u t ?

Appendix H: Manipulation Scripts

Memory Confidence Manipulation Feedback

The percentages displayed to participants were randomly generated by the computer programme. For the HMC groups they ranged between the top 10-15%, and for the LMC groups they ranged between the bottom 30-45%.

HMC:

“You scored in the top 15% of the general population on the memory test. This places you in the above average range in comparison to those in your age group. Well done! Keep up the good work for the next part.”

LMC:

“You scored in the bottom 32% of the general population on the memory test. This places you below average in comparison to those in your age group. Please try and concentrate during the next phase.”

Responsibility Manipulation Scripts

HR:

“Please try and remember as many pictures as you can - in a previous round of data collection the results were unusable because it appeared that participants made many mistakes. We really need people to not make mistakes in this round o f data collection as this will adversely affect the results of the study. The researcher cannot collect any further data after this round of data collection, so please try and remember the

pictures as well as you can. The pictures will be presented very quickly so please be ready to pay attention.”

LR:

Appendix I: Participant Debrief

Verbal Debrief

“So how did you find the experiment?” > Participant comments noted

“This study is investigating the effects o f memory confidence and perceived responsibility on OCD-like checking behaviour and memory performance. Research suggests that everybody experiences unwanted intrusive thoughts from time to time but individuals who have a diagnosis o f OCD tend to think that these thoughts might come true and may cause harm. As a result o f this they feel responsible to ensure that no one gets hurt and thus engage in compulsive checking rituals to alleviate any potential harm and distress. Research has also demonstrated that when individuals with OCD engage in checking behaviour this causes them to doubt their memory which leads to further checking.

“The current study sought to find out if individuals who are placed in a situation which causes them to doubt their memory, irrespective o f having a diagnosis o f OCD or not, would engage in checking behaviour or alter their memory performance, especially when they are placed under conditions o f high perceived responsibility. In order to test this hypothesis I had to manipulate your memory confidence and responsibility. This was done by giving you false feedback on your performance on a memory test. Therefore all feedback given to you about your performance on the memory test during the experiment and any instructions regarding your responsibility were N OT TRUE.''

“The study was investigating the effects o f presenting different stimuli e.g. pictures/words and how this affects your memory for these stimuli. Some o f the stimuli were emotionally valenced and some were neutral. Research suggests that we are more likely to remember emotive material than neutral material. It has also shown that w e are more likely to remember pictures than words as pictures provide more contextual information for us to use as cues. This research w ill help us to develop treatments for people with mental health conditions such as OCD as these people often have low memory confidence and therefore feel compelled to repeatedly check their actions because they doubt they have carried out an action. It w ill also help us to explore ways in which to help those with learning and memory difficulties”.

“Thank you for your participation in this experiment”. “Would you like to ask any questions?”

“Please could you refrain from discussing the procedure and aims o f this study with others you know who might take part in the study as this w ill severely affect our ability to carry out the experiment and collect useful data”.

Light refreshments were also provided to aid eomfort and as thanks. No participants expressed that they felt distressed in any way following the

experiment and all participants were happy for their data to be used. However, as a precaution all participants were provided with the University’s Wellbeing Centre,

and NHS Direct contact details and encouraged to speak to their GP if they felt they required any support (see handout below).

Thank you for taking the time to complete 'A study ïmesÿgaimg the

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Further Information

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