Specificity of cost and probability biases in social anxiety: Comparing status and belongingness threats.

Abstract

Social anxiety (SA) is characterized by concerns about the expected occurrence (probability) and anticipated distress (cost) of social threats. Unclear is whether SA correlates specifically with biased expectations of belongingness or status threats. We aimed to discern if SA is uniquely tied to biased expectancies of either belongingness or status threats. We assessed 757 participants' perceptions of exclusion and put-down scenarios, analysing associations between SA and threat perceptions. Our findings support the status-sensitivity hypothesis, suggesting individuals with high SA are particularly attuned to the perceived cost of status threats, potentially informing treatment approaches. Understanding SA's link to status concerns enhances therapeutic strategies, emphasizing the need to address status-related situations, cognitions, and emotions in interventions.