Attentional bias and memory bias characteristics of individuals with depressive tendencies under different perceptual load conditions

The relationship between attention and memory biases under varying perceptual loads in depressive tendencies remains unclear. Based on perceptual load theory and the cognitive-emotional interaction model, this study examined these biases. Forty-one individuals with depressive tendencies and 43 healthy controls completed an alphabet search task and an unexpected recognition task. Results showed: (1) The depressive group demonstrated attention and memory biases toward negative faces across loads, and these biases were significantly correlated; (2) Intergroup differences in attention bias were modulated by perceptual load: it was significantly greater in the depressive group under high load, but showed no difference under low load; (3) The memory bias effect size showed no intergroup difference and was not modulated by load. This indicates "cross-phase consistency" in negative processing. Depressive individuals, due to attention control deficits, are more susceptible to negative interference under high load, whereas memory bias reflects an automatic mood-congruent effect. These findings offer theoretical and practical insights for early risk identification and stage-specific intervention.