SRIG 24-44: Cognitive Deficits Following an Induced Not Just Right Experience Among Individuals with High and Low Levels of Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies

What was the issue being addressed?

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and related tendencies are linked to difficulties with executive functioning, such as working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibition. However, research findings have been inconsistent, with some studies showing deficits and others not. This project addressed the issue by testing whether the Not Just Right Experience (NJRE)—a strong sense of things being “off” or incomplete—helps explain why these inconsistencies occur. 

Provide a brief, lay description of the work undertaken/initiative.

We asked whether the everyday feeling of something being “not quite right” (NJRE), common in people with obsessive–compulsive traits (OCT), might explain why those with OCT often show greater disability on cognitive tasks that involve memory, flexibility, and inhibitory control. Over 200 participants completed a series of tests, with some being prompted to experience NJRE before doing them. We found that NJRE can directly affect performance, especially on tasks requiring people to switch between rules quickly. This helps explain why previous studies of OCD have shown mixed results—whether or not NJRE is present at the time can change outcomes. 

What is the expected impact this project will have on the community?

By clarifying how NJRE influences thinking skills, this research helps us understand when and why OCD-related difficulties show up. For the community, this means more accurate models of OCD can be developed, leading to better assessments and targeted therapies. For example, treatments could focus more directly on managing NJREs, reducing their disruptive impact on daily functioning. In the longer term, this may help people with OCD and their families by providing strategies that are tailored to the specific mental experiences that cause the most difficulty.