Summary: Attention is defined as the cognitive process to detect a particular internal or external
stimulus, and maintaining focus are closely related to mood. The orientation of the attention
resource (Attention allocation) is shaped by the mood of the person. Focusing more on negative and
threatening stimuli than neutral and/or positive stimuli in the outside world is called “Attentional
Bias”. This article emphasizes that attentional bias is linked with the level of depressive mood
state, between a low level of depressive mood and a high level of depression. Aim: This research
aimed to examine if there is an attentional bias toward negative stimuli among individuals with
depressive symptoms. Materials and Methods: The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the
Point Locating Task were administered to the participants. The research consists of a sample of 90
undergraduate and graduate students selected by random sampling method. Results: Based on the
research findings, there is a positive and significant relationship between the level of depression
and attentional orientation. The result of the study indicated that there is a significant negative
relationship between depression scores and attentional orientation. When the attentional bias of the
participants was examined according to their depression levels, it was found that the attentional bias
of the participants with moderate depression symptoms was significantly higher than those without
depression symptoms. Conclusion: These results indicated that relationship between attentional bias
and depression level. Further studies are needed to examine depression levels and attentional bias
levels in a larger sample size.