Ernst Koster

My research mainly involves investigating the influence of information-processing on the development, maintenance and modification of anxiety and depression. The influence of information-processing factors is examined within (1) a diathesis-stress conceptualization where the dynamic interplay between biological, behavioral and cognitive factors is studied; a (2) developmental perspective where the interplay between genetic factors, early environmental factors, parent-child interactions and information-processing is considered; (3) a transdiagnostic approach where common as well as distinct cognitive mechanisms of anxiety and depression are examined.

Within my research, three broad research lines can be distinguished:

(1) Basic Cognition and Emotion Research

I investigate cognitive processing of emotional/threatening material. I am particularly interested in studying (1) the methodology used to examine attention and cognitive control for emotional information; (2) bottom-up vs. top-down influences on processing of emotional information; (3) the reciprocal relationship between attention and learning.

(2) Experimental Psychopathology Research

I have conducted a wealth of studies on information-processing bias for emotional information in anxiety and depression. This research is centered around three main issues: (1) Developing theoretical models of information-processing in anxiety and depression; (2) Examining the influence of attentional bias on memory, interpretation and reasoning; (3) Examining whether information-processing bias predicts anxiety and depression. I combine information-processing measures with psychophysiological and neurobiological measures.

(3) Mechanistic Treatment Research

I am interested in examining the mechanisms of change in anxiety and depression. This research focuses on cognitive mediation of change. One research approach is to use computerized cognitive retraining procedures to target maladaptive information processing. My approach on this is trying to develop reliable training procedures that affect stress-reactivity, which could lead to therapeutic effects on anxiety and depression. Moreover, I am interested in the procedure of exposure and its underlying working mechanisms. Finally, I am strongly interested in combining the experimental psychopathology and positive psychology approach to study resilience in depression with a focus on preventing recurrent episodes.