Recalibrating Negative Weighting Biases through Risk-Taking Manipulation in College Students with High Rejection Sensitivity: Focusing on Instruction Type

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine negative weighting biases in risk-taking situations and recalibrate the negative weighting biases using Bean Fest training among college students with high levels of rejection sensitivity. Methods: Participants were college students who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an implicit instruction group, an integrated instruction group, and a control group. In the recalibration condition, participants were informed whether each classification was correct or not, thus recalibrating the valence weighting bias. The integrated instruction group was given a strategic message to recalibrate the negative weighting bias explicitly, while the implicit instruction group was given a message that allowed them to determine the more effective method based on their own response.Results: Both treatment groups recalibrated the negative weighing bias effectively. In addition, the level of rejection sensitivity in the integrated instruction group was significantly reduced compared to that of the implicit instruction group. Conclusions: This result suggests that Bean Fest training is effective in recalibrating the negative weighting bias and reducing rejection sensitivity among college students. The limitations of this study and suggestions for subsequent research are discussed.