Ms Hadise Mirzaei, Mr Keyvan Salehi, Mr Ebrahim Khodaie, Mr Ali Moghadamzadeh, Mr Javad Hatami,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (6-2026)
Abstract
The present study aimed to systematically review research investigating the relationship between diminished motivation and impaired capacity for pleasure (anhedonia) and the cognitive biases that exacerbate it. A systematic documentary review methodology was employed. Data were collected from 29 selected studies published between 2000 and December 2024, retrieved through searches in Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords, including anhedonia, cognitive biases, affective cognitive biases, and depressive disorder. Study quality was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist, and data were analyzed via deductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated that anhedonia is primarily associated with deficits in pleasure anticipation and is directly linked to attentional, interpretative, memory, and self-referential biases. Consequently, even when individuals retain the capacity to experience pleasure, the presence of these biases disrupts decision-making processes and the effort required to pursue rewards. Furthermore, examining interaction between cognitive biases and anhedonia may inform the development of more precise cognitive–behavioral interventions and the design of evidence-based assessment tools and targeted treatments.
