Treatment sensitivity of implicit threat evaluation, avoidance tendency and visual working memory bias in specific phobia

► We examine whether cognitive bias in phobia is sensitive to treatment. ► We assess biased implicit evaluation, avoidance tendency and working memory. ► Implicit evaluation and avoidance tendency normalise after brief CBT. ► These biases are no enduring vulnerability factors for phobia development. ► Treatment effects are stronger than mere test-retest effects.