Journal of Abnormal Psychology125.6 (Aug 2016): 840-851. The use of unreliable measures constitutes a threat to our understanding of psychopathology, because advancement of science using both behavioral and biologically oriented measures can only be certain if such measurements are reliable. Two pillars of the National Institute of Mental Health’s portfolio—the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative for psychopathology and the target engagement initiative in clinical trials—cannot succeed without measures that possess the high reliability necessary for tests involving mediation and selection based on individual differences. We focus on the historical lack of reliability of attentional bias measures as an illustration of how reliability can pose a threat to our understanding. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.