The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) as a measure of obsessive beliefs in relation to disgust

The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) was utilized as a means of interpreting disgust in terms of the six domains of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as defined by the Obsessive Compulsive Cognitions Working Group; excessive responsibility, overestimation of threat, perfectionism, intolerance for uncertainty, over importance of thoughts and need to control thoughts. A non-clinical sample (N=44 undergraduate students) completed an IRAP designed to assess appraisals of disgust-inducing pictorial stimuli based on the six belief domains at the implicit level. A series of self-report measures including the Obsessive-Beliefs Questionnaire, the Padua Inventory and the STAI were also implemented. Results indicated that a greater bias toward appraising disgusting stimuli as being negative was related to excessive responsibility and overestimation of threat along with perfectionism and intolerance for uncertainty. Critically, these effects were found to be independent of anxiety supporting the influence of disgust responding in the etiology of OC tendencies.

► The IRAP was used as a measure of obsessive beliefs in response to disgust.
► The IRAP measured positive and negative appraisals to disgusting and pleasant stimuli.
► Scores on the IRAP predicted responsibility/threat and perfectionism/uncertainty.
► Critically, this effect was independent of anxiety.