MedWorm: Psychology

European Neuropsychopharmacology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:32 +0100

(Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

ECNP Calendar of Events

European Neuropsychopharmacology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:32 +0100

(Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)

Corrigendum to “Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010” [Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol. 21 (2011) 718–779]

European Neuropsychopharmacology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:32 +0100

The authors regret that in the abovementioned article, an author name and affiliation were listed incorrectly. The correct listing is printed above. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)

Editorial Board

European Neuropsychopharmacology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:32 +0100

(Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)

On the Assessment of Emotions and Emotional Competencies

Psychologica Belgica — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:31 +0100

This article is currently available as a free download on ingentaconnect (Source: Psychologica Belgica)

Alexithymia and Irony Comprehension and their Relations with Depression, Anxiety, General Symptomatology and Personality Disorders: A Comparison Between Clinical and Non-Clinical Participants

Psychologica Belgica — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:31 +0100

This article is currently available as a free download on ingentaconnect (Source: Psychologica Belgica)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Construction and Validation of the Self-Conscious Emotions at Work Scale

Psychologica Belgica — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:31 +0100

This article is currently available as a free download on ingentaconnect (Source: Psychologica Belgica)

The Convergence of Alexithymia Measures

Psychologica Belgica — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:31 +0100

This article is currently available as a free download on ingentaconnect (Source: Psychologica Belgica)

Assessing Emotional and Behavioural Problems with the Child Behaviour Checklist: Exploring the Relevance of Adjusting the Norms for the Flemish Community

Psychologica Belgica — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:31 +0100

This article is currently available as a free download on ingentaconnect (Source: Psychologica Belgica)

The Development of Obesity Begins at an Early Age in Captive Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:30 +0100

In this study, we examine the patterns of fat mass gain from birth to 12 months in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Lean and fat mass was measured by quantitative magnetic resonance at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months for 31 marmosets, 15 considered Normal and 16 considered Fat (>14% body fat) at 12 months. Animals were fed either the regular colony diet mix or a high‐fat variation. Subjects classified as Fat at 12 months already had greater lean mass (198.4 ± 6.2 g vs. 174.0 ± 6.8 g, P = 0.013) and fat mass (45.5 ± 5.0 g vs. 24.9 ± 3.4 g, P = .002) by 6 months. Body mass did not differ between groups prior to 6 months, however, by 1 month, Fat infants had greater percent body fat. Percent body fat decreased between 1 and 12 months in Normal subjects; in Fat subjects, it increased. Th...

Hormonal Correlates of Paternal Care Differences in the Hylobatidae

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:29 +0100

Only one of the 15 species of monogamous hylobatids, the siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus), demonstrates direct paternal care in the form of infant‐carrying, providing a unique model for examining hormonal correlates of paternal care differences between siamangs and gibbons. We used behavioral data and fecal hormone analysis to investigate (1) differences in monthly percent father–infant proximity in relation to monthly fecal androgen metabolite concentrations from infant birth to the late postpartum period between siamangs and gibbons, (2) the pattern of change in fecal androgen and fecal estrogen metabolite concentrations during the 8‐week peripartum period between siamangs and gibbons, and (3) the change in mean fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations at 1‐month postpart...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Clinical Biochemistry and Hematology of the Elusive Sun‐Tailed Monkey (Cercopithecus solatus) in Gabon: Inaugural Data From the Only Semifree Ranging Colony in the World

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:28 +0100

Clinical blood biochemistry and hematology are valuable tools to evaluate health and welfare in many animal species. In order to document the general biology of one of the most poorly known nonhuman primate species, and contribute to its conservation, the clinical blood biochemistry and hematology of the sun‐tailed monkey (Cercopithecus solatusHarrisson) was investigated in its range of endemicity in Gabon. Data derived from 26 years of clinical monitoring of the only semicaptive colony of this species in the world, housed at CIRMF (Franceville, Gabon), were analyzed in order to establish reference values of age–sex classes. Consistent with previous reports in other primate species, age and sex significantly affected a number of biochemical and hematological parameters in C. solatus. H...

Coevolution of Facial Expression and Social Tolerance in Macaques

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:26 +0100

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that social tolerance drives the evolution of facial expression in macaques. Macaque species exhibit a range of social styles that reflect a continuum of social tolerance. Social interactions in more tolerant taxa tend to be less constrained by rank and kinship than in less‐tolerant macaques. I predicted that macaques that are more tolerant would exhibit a wider range of facial displays than less‐tolerant species because interactions that are open to negotiation are characterized by greater uncertainty than interactions that are constrained by rank or kinship. To test this hypothesis, I conducted a phylogenetically informed regression analysis (N = 11) using previously published data on repertoire size and two quantitative measures of...

Sneaky Monkeys: An Audience Effect of Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) on Sexual Behavior

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:25 +0100

Males and females have different sexual interests and subsequently may show conflicting sexual strategies. While dominant males try to monopolize females, promiscuity benefits females and subordinate males. One way to escape monopolization by dominant males is to copulate in their absence. We tested this inhibitory effect of males on the sexual behavior of their group members in captive group‐living Rhesus macaques. Copulations between females and nonalpha males almost exclusively took place when the alpha male was out of sight. Furthermore, the inhibiting effect was not unique for the alpha male. An upcoming nonalpha male also inhibited copulations of its group members, and three other nonalpha males inhibited female copulation solicitations. Females adjusted their behavior to the prese...

Differences in Activity Budgets and Diet Between Semiprovisioned and Wild‐Feeding Groups of the Endangered Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) in the Central High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:24 +0100

The Barbary macaque, Macaca sylvanus is a very adaptable primate species occupying a wide range of habitats in Morocco and Algeria. Several groups of this endangered macaque can be found in tourist sites, where they are affected by the presence of visitors providing food to them. We compare the activity budgets and the diet of semiprovisioned and wild‐feeding groups of Barbary macaques in the central High Atlas Mountains of Morocco from February to August 2008. We used instantaneous scan sampling at 15‐min intervals. The behaviors included in the activity budget were feeding, moving, foraging, resting, and aggressive display. Food items were grouped into seven categories. We found no differences between the two groups in the daily percentages of records attributed to feeding. The semip...

Transport of Functionally Appropriate Tools by Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus apella)

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:23 +0100

Capuchin monkeys (Cebus sp.) are notable among New World monkeys for their widespread use of tools. Like chimpanzees, they use both hammer tools and insertion tools in the wild to acquire food that would be unobtainable otherwise. Recent evidence indicates that capuchins transport stones to anvil sites and use the most functionally efficient stones to crack nuts. We further investigated capuchins’ assessment of functionality by testing their ability to select a tool that was appropriate for two different tool‐use tasks: A stone for a hammer task and a stick for an insertion task. To select the appropriate tools, the monkeys investigated a baited tool‐use apparatus (insertion or hammer), traveled to a location in their enclosure where they could no longer see the apparatus, made a sel...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Discovery of Miller's Grizzled Langur (Presbytis hosei canicrus) in Wehea Forest Confirms the Continued Existence and Extends Known Geographical Range of an Endangered Primate

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:22 +0100

Miller's Grizzled Langur (Presbytis hosei canicrus) is one of the least known and rarest primates in Borneo. With a limited geographic range along the central coast of East Kalimantan and the highly degraded Kutai National Park, its former stronghold, this subspecies is now extremely rare and has been listed as one of the world's 25 most endangered primates. From June 6 to August 2, 2011, we carried out both direct observation and camera trap surveys at two mineral springs (sepans) in the Wehea Forest, East Kutai district, East Kalimantan. Presbytis hosei canicrus was observed at the large sepan on 3 of 6 observation days and at the small sepan on 2 of 3 observation days with up to 11 individuals observed in a single day at a single site. Camera traps recorded a per day capture rate of 0.7...

Why Aye‐Ayes See Blue

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:20 +0100

The capacity for cone‐mediated color vision varies among nocturnal primates. Some species are colorblind, having lost the functionality of their short‐wavelength‐sensitive‐1 (SWS1) opsin pigment gene. In other species, such as the aye‐aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), the SWS1 gene remains intact. Recent studies focused on aye‐ayes indicate that this gene has been maintained by natural selection and that the pigment has a peak sensitivity (λmax) of 406 nm, which is ∼20 nm closer to the ultraviolet region of the spectrum than in most primates. The functional significance behind the retention and unusual λmax of this opsin pigment is unknown, and it is perplexing given that all mammals are presumed to be colorblind in the dark. Here we comment on this puzzle and discuss rec...

Muscle Mass Scaling in Primates: An Energetic and Ecological Perspective

American Journal of Primatology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:13:55 +0100

Body composition is known to vary dramatically among mammals, even in closely related species, yet this issue has never been systematically investigated. Here, we examine differences in muscle mass scaling among mammals, and explore how primate body composition compares to that of nonprimate mammals. We use a literature‐based sample of eutherian and metatherian mammals, and combine this with new dissection‐based data on muscularity in a variety of strepsirrhine primates and the haplorhine, Tarsius syrichta. Our results indicate an isometric scaling relationship between total muscle mass and total body mass across mammals. However, we documented substantial variation in muscularity in mammals (21–61% of total body mass), which can be seen both within and between taxonomic groups. We a...

In Search of the “Meta‐Maven”: An Examination of Market Maven Behavior across Real‐Life, Web, and Virtual World Marketing Channels

Psychology and Marketing — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:12:26 +0100

This study attempts to better understand the nature of market maven behavior (diffusers of general marketplace and shopping information) across three different channels—virtual worlds, the Web, and real‐life—and to examine the extent to which market maven behavior is transferable across channel context (i.e., “fluid”) or channel dependent. Using data from two surveys (one in the virtual world “Second Life” and a follow‐up Web survey for the same respondents), this paper explores differences and determinants of maven behavior. Employing partial least squares analysis, the findings indicate that market maven propensity is transferable across channels (i.e., high‐scoring market mavens retain this across channel). However, while there may be the transferability of market mave...

Effects of Mood States on Variety Seeking: The Moderating Roles of Personality

Psychology and Marketing — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:12:25 +0100

ABSTRACTBuilding upon previous research and in an attempt to better understand the influence of mood states on variety‐seeking (VS) tendency, two specific emotional states (sadness and happiness) are discussed. Furthermore, this article proposes that the effects of mood states on VS are moderated by individuals’ differences. In this article, optimum stimulation level, self‐monitoring, and need for cognition are used to examine the moderating effects of this relationship. Consistent with the proposed hypotheses, the results indicate that sad individuals tend to incorporate more VS than happy ones. In addition, the three personality types tested in this article moderate the effects of mood on VS. Finally, suggestions for future research are discussed. (Source: Psychology and Marketing)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Discounting in International Markets and the Face Value Effect: A Double‐ Edged Sword?

Psychology and Marketing — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:12:23 +0100

ABSTRACTConsumer response to price is often subjective and prone to systematic perceptual biases, such as the “face value” effect, whereby consumer perceptions of willingness to pay are systematically biased by the nominal value of a new currency. That is, prices presented in higher denomination currencies are perceived to be more expensive and prices presented in lower denomination currencies are perceived to be less expensive. The results from two separate experiments suggest that for high‐price products, when a substantial enough discount is invoked, the face value effect can reverse and becomes a double‐edged sword. While existing research implies that the face value effect becomes stronger for high‐price products, the findings from this research suggest this is the case only...

Adolescent Motivations for Reality Television Viewing: An Exploratory Study

Psychology and Marketing — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:12:22 +0100

ABSTRACTWith the recent growth of reality television programing and its appeal to adolescent viewers, marketers, advertisers, and public policy experts need to understand what motivations drive adolescents to watch reality programs. By understanding adolescent viewer motivations, professionals will be able to craft effective marketing strategies and develop public policy programs for improving the welfare of adolescents. This research involves an exploratory study that examines adolescents’ motivations for watching reality programs through a content analysis of free‐response data from a national sample of 800 adolescents in the United States, members of a Harris Online panel. Theoretical, managerial, and public policy implications of the findings are discussed. (Source: Psychology and ...

The Commodification of Self‐Esteem: Branding and British Teenagers

Psychology and Marketing — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:12:21 +0100

This study explores the role of consumption in the lives of British adolescents, with a particular focus on its role in forming and maintaining self‐esteem. Through a large qualitative study, over 100 adolescents revealed their attitudes and feelings toward consumption—particularly fashion. It was found that as a result of peer pressure and the importance of conformity among adolescents, consuming the correct possessions at the right time, is essential for social acceptance, gaining and maintaining friendships and thus self‐esteem. This paper argues that self‐esteem has been commodified. The consequences of failing to “keep up” with consumption trends were revealed; these include social exclusion, negative peer evaluation, and reduced self‐esteem. Moreover, these negative con...

Erratum: Neurodevelopmental MRI brain templates for children from 2 weeks to 4 years of age. C. E. Sanchez, J. E. Richards, and C. R. Almli.

Developmental Psychobiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:05:51 +0100

(Source: Developmental Psychobiology)

Rage - Coming Soon From a Narcissist Near You

Psychology Today Personality Center — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:50:18 +0100

Hell hath no fury and contempt as a narcissist you dare to disagree with, tell they’re wrong or embarrassread more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

JFK’s Young Intern Lover Reveals Long-held Secrets; Would You?

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:46:21 +0100

Would you ever write a tell-all memoir? If so, why? Would it be to free yourself of the journey's twists and turns and what effect it had on your life? Would it be to do the big reveal--to finally explain to others some "whys" of situation and reactions gone by? Is it to brag? Is it __[what]__? read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

13 Lessons for Aging Well - Lesson 3

Psychology Today Depression Center — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:44:19 +0100

Lesson Three: Live in Moderation - Aging Our WayThis is the third in a 13- post series on living well, adapted from Aging Our Way: Lessons for Living from 85 and BeyondFind a ninety-something and watch closely.read more (Source: Psychology Today Depression Center)

Acceptability and use of postabortion resources by urban women — a pilot study

Contraception — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:36:55 +0100

To determine if women undergoing abortion would accept and use reference material listing resources for emotional and psychological support. We performed a pilot study in an urban clinic that provides first- and second-trimester abortion. We provided a convenience sample of patients undergoing elective abortion with a brief explanation of a bilingual (English and Spanish) pamphlet and list of prochoice referral Web sites and talk lines. We called participants after 2 months to determine if they liked and used this low-resource intervention. (Source: Contraception)

Do You Mate Like a Cavewoman?

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:16:31 +0100

Finding the right person requires savvy and skill. Perhaps Darwin could shed a little Love Advice your way.read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Are You Successful? Ask Yourself These Three Questions.

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:18:53 +0100

Are You Successful? Ask Yourself These Three Questions.Murray Graziano works at The Golden Orchard in Toronto's famed St. Lawrence Market. One morning, I paid Murray and got three apples plus wisdom placed in my paper bag.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Time to Eat

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:27:38 +0100

The clock hits noon- that means its lunchtime. My co-worker brought cookies to work-I might as well eat one (or three). That chips ad on television looks so tempting- I'll go into the kitchen and grab a handful. I'm meeting friends at my favorite restaurant for dinner- I better order something yummy.read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

Not to Be Antisocial, But—Why Don’t You Leave Me Alone? Part I

Psychology Today Personality Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:31:22 +0100

Have you ever felt deluged by invitations, festivities, celebrations, get-togethers, gatherings, blasts, soirees, shindigs, and Super Bowl tail-gates, when all you wanted to do was spend a nice quiet evening with your dog and the Internet?read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

Too Posh for Pregnancy?

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:22:56 +0100

How many women hire surrogates because they are too busy to be pregnant or want to avoid stretch marks?read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Digital Dirt: Managing Your Online Identity

Psychology Today Work Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:10:57 +0100

It is no longer an option to monitor your online presence – it's imperative. Does your current online image reflect you at your best and convey the message you would want potential employers, customers, or clients to see?read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Banishing Your Heartache on Valentine's Day

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:45:49 +0100

Valentine's Day can be a challenge if your heart is aching. Here are some creative strategies to add some "zing" to your love life ...read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Does gender moderate the relationship between driver aggression and its risk factors?

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:36:30 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the importance of conducting the gender analysis using both regression approaches. With few exceptions, factors that were predictive of driver aggression were generally the same for both male and female drivers. PMID: 22269480 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Accident; Analysis and Prevention.)

Occupational driver safety: Conceptualising a leadership-based intervention to improve safe driving performance.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:36:10 +0100

This study adopts the A-B-C framework to identify the contingencies associated with an effective exchange of safety information within the occupational driving context. Utilizing a sample of occupational drivers and their supervisors, this multi-level study examines the contingencies associated with the exchange of safety information within the supervisor-driver relationship. Safety values are identified as an antecedent of the safety information exchange, and the quality of the leader-member exchange relationship and safe driving performance is identified as the behavioural consequences. We also examine the function of role overload as a factor influencing the relationship between safety values and the safety information exchange. Hierarchical linear modelling found that role overload mod...

Differentiating risky and aggressive driving: Further support of the internal validity of the Dula Dangerous Driving Index.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:23:00 +0100

Authors: Richer I, Bergeron J Abstract The Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI) is a cross-cultural validated instrument that measures simultaneously various manifestations of behaviours, cognitions, and affects associated with dangerous driving. The aims of the study were to translate the DDDI into French and then to verify the validity and reliability of the French version of the scale by means of observed behaviours on a driving simulator, and of self-reported measures of driving behaviours, personality and sociodemographic characteristics. A first sample of 395 drivers completed self-reported questionnaires and a second sample of 75 male drivers also completed tasks on a driving simulator. A confirmatory factorial analysis supported the internal validity of the scale. Findings a...

On Meeting Carl Gustav Jung

Psychology Today Personality Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:21:50 +0100

It was at the first Eranos meeting after World War II that I met Carl Gustav Jung. I had accompanied Herbert Read and it was he who introduced me to Jung. Memory has it that this was in 1950 when Jung would have been about 75. It was a fairly brief conversation, yet I found that simply being in the great man's presence was impressive enough.read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

Psychosocial safety climate moderates the job demand-resource interaction in predicting workgroup distress.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:21:06 +0100

Authors: Dollard MF, Tuckey MR, Dormann C Abstract Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) arises from workplace policies, practices, and procedures for the protection of worker psychological health and safety that are largely driven by management. Many work stress theories are based on the fundamental interaction hypothesis - that a high level of job demands (D) will lead to psychological distress and that this relationship will be offset when there are high job resources (R). However we proposed that this interaction really depends on the organizational context; in particular high levels of psychosocial safety climate will enable the safe utilization of resources to reduce demands. The study sample consisted of police constables from 23 police units (stations) with longitudinal survey ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Why Men Gave Up Polygamy

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:46 +0100

Why have men in so many cultures given up the right and tradition to have multiple wives? Historically, polygyny has been one of the most common and prevalent forms of marriage, worldwide. Increasing research suggests that many men are not disposed towards monogamy. But, in modern Western culture, men with multiple wives are seen as sinners and lawbreakers. read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Novel insights in the role of peripheral corticotropin‐releasing factor and mast cells in stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity

Neurogastroenterology and Motility — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:46:24 +0100

AbstractVisceral hypersensitivity is one of the hallmarks in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology. Stress is well known to affect visceral sensitivity in humans and rodents, an effect which is associated in part with alterations of intestinal epithelial permeability in rodents. Although the pathophysiology of visceral hypersensitivity is still unclear, two key factors have been identified as playing a major role in its modulation, namely peripheral corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) and mast cells. In a recent study in Neurogastroenterology and Motility, van den Wijngaard et al. demonstrate that the mast‐cell dependent visceral hypersensitivity observed in maternally separated rats after an acute exposure to a psychological stress can be prevented but not reversed by the p...

Should Pregnant Women Forget About a Good Night's Sleep?

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:12:30 +0100

In my practice, the majority of my patients are women. I'm often asked by patients (and friends!) why insomnia is more common in women. As a result, I'm going to dedicate my first few posts to sleep disorders common to women, discussing problems that can occur throughout her life. Today, we'll discuss what happens during pregnancy and what can be done to sleep better.read more (Source: Psychology Today Anxiety Center)

Children of Divorce: The Kids Aren't Always Alright

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:55:59 +0100

My formerly popular 11-year old granddaughter is being shunned by her BFFs to the point that she doesn't want to go to school (which she formerly loved). Her parents are going through a divorce, and it's hit her the hardest.read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Why Food Isn't an Addiction

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:43:30 +0100

One of the reasons I love writing about children and food is the frequency with which it arises as a conversation topic between parents. Just this past weekend I had a conversation with a fellow parent that made me ponder the kind of food wisdom from which all parents can benefit.read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

The Serious Risks of Low Sleep in Teens

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:39:12 +0100

A large-scale survey on teens and sleep has made a big splash in the news recently with its results: most teens are not getting enough sleep, and their lack of sufficient sleep is being associated with a whole series of risky, unhealthy behaviors, from smoking and drinking to sexual activity and over-eating.read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Valentine’s Day at Hogwarts, Part 2

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:20:20 +0100

Part Two in a series analyzing love in the world of Harry Potter.read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Football Withdrawal Coping Tips

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Millions of football fans will experience withdrawal symptoms now that the Super Bowl and football season is over. When an individual experiences pleasurable activity, such as watching a football game, dopamine is released in the nucleus accumbens region of the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) related to the brain's pleasure centers. However, the individual is left feeling deprived once the pleasurable activity ends. This feeling of depravation is similar to what a smoker feels when deprived of a cigarette... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Quit: Do It Now

Psychology Today Work Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:25:08 +0100

A lot of us suffer from not knowing when, or how, to quit. We take on too many projects and commitments, and end up turning in 10 mediocre jobs instead of one or two stellar performances.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Fatal Fathers

Psychology Today Depression Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:02:12 +0100

When stress builds up in families, overwhelmed fathers might ponder suicide. As with Josh Powell, deadly thoughts can include the children. What makes some men decide to kill their kids? read more (Source: Psychology Today Depression Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Lost in Hook-up Land

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:55:36 +0100

read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Universal processes and common factors in couple therapy and relationship education guest editors: w. Kim halford and douglas k. Snyder.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:45:25 +0100

Discussion concludes with a brief introduction to each of the articles comprising this special section on universal processes in couple therapy and relationship education. PMID: 22304874 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Behavior Therapy)

Integrative approaches to couple therapy: implications for clinical practice and research.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:45:14 +0100

Authors: Snyder DK, Balderrama-Durbin C Abstract Although meta-analyses affirm that various treatments for couple distress produce statistically and clinically significant outcomes, research findings also indicate that a large percentage of couples fail to benefit or subsequently deteriorate following current therapies. Based on these findings, we advocate potential advantages of integrative approaches to couple therapy. We distinguish among assimilative, transtheoretical, and pluralistic approaches to integration and describe exemplars of each. Integrative approaches to couple therapy are compared to distillatory or common factors approaches emphasizing common elements of treatment components, therapist characteristics, and client or relationship attributes. We argue that clinical...

Common principles of couple therapy.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:45:04 +0100

Authors: Benson LA, McGinn MM, Christensen A Abstract The similarity in efficacy of evidence-based couple therapies suggests that it may be useful to identify those treatment principles they hold in common. Expanding on the previous description of a unified protocol for couple therapy (Christensen, 2010), this article outlines five common principles: (a) altering the couple's view of the presenting problem to be more objective, contextualized, and dyadic; (b) decreasing emotion-driven, dysfunctional behavior; (c) eliciting emotion-based, avoided, private behavior; (d) increasing constructive communication patterns; and (e) emphasizing strengths and reinforcing gains. For each of these five elements of the unified protocol, the paper addresses how and to what extent the most common ...

Common factors of change in couple therapy.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:54 +0100

Authors: Davis SD, Lebow JL, Sprenkle DH Abstract Though it is clear from meta-analytic research that couple therapy works well, it is less clear how couple therapy works. Efforts to attribute change to the unique ingredients of a particular model have consistently turned up short, leading many researchers to suggest that change is due to common factors that run through different treatment approaches and settings. The purpose of this article is to provide an empirically based case for several common factors in couple therapy, and discuss clinical, training, and research implications for a common factors couple therapy paradigm. Critical distinctions between model-driven and common factors paradigms are also discussed, and a moderate common factors approach is proposed as a more use...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Toward making progress feedback an effective common factor in couple therapy.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:43 +0100

Authors: Halford WK, Hayes S, Christensen A, Lambert M, Baucom DH, Atkins DC Abstract Systematic monitoring of individual therapy progress, coupled with feedback to the therapist, reliably enhances therapy outcome by alerting therapists to individual clients who are off track to benefit by the end of therapy. The current paper reviews the possibility of using similar systematic monitoring and feedback of therapy progress as a means to enhance couple therapy outcome, including what measures of therapy progress are most likely to be useful, how to structure feedback to be most useful to therapists, and the likely mediators of the effects of therapy progress feedback. One implicit assumption of therapy progress feedback is that clients unlikely to benefit from therapy can be detected ...

Couple-based interventions for medical problems.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:33 +0100

Authors: Baucom DH, Porter LS, Kirby JS, Hudepohl J Abstract The current paper discusses general principles, therapeutic strategies, common factors, and domains commonly addressed in the treatment of couples who have a partner with a medical condition. Couple-based interventions for medical problems are contrasted with couple therapy and relationship education in that the emphasis is on assisting the patient in addressing the medical disorder, along with being attentive to the patient's partner and their relationship. Guidelines are provided showing how knowledge and understanding of medical disorders and couple functioning are integrated in order to conduct such interventions. Five common domains addressed during intervention are elaborated upon: (a) psychoeducation about the diso...

Exploring programmatic moderators of the effectiveness of marriage and relationship education programs: a meta-analytic study.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:22 +0100

This study uses meta-analytic methods to explore programmatic moderators or common factors of the effectiveness of marriage and relationship education (MRE) programs. We coded 148 evaluation reports for potential programmatic factors that were associated with stronger intervention effects, although the range of factors we could code was limited by the lack of details in the reports. Overall, we found a positive effect for program dosage: moderate-dosage programs (9-20 contact hours) were associated with stronger effects compared to low-dosage programs (1-8 contact hours). A programmatic emphasis on communication skills was associated with stronger effects on couple communication outcomes, but this difference did not reach statistical significance for the relationship quality/satisfaction o...

Common factors in the enhancement of dyadic coping.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:12 +0100

Authors: Bodenmann G, Randall AK Abstract Stress and coping are important constructs in understanding the dynamics of close relationships. Couple therapy and marital distress prevention approaches have become increasingly focused on these variables to gain knowledge of how stress and coping may impact the quality and stability of close relationships. In this paper, we outline couple's coping enhancement training (CCET) and the coping-oriented couple's therapy (COCT); both, couple interventions derived from stress and coping research. We address specific features of each approach and report data on their efficacy and effectiveness. We also examine both the common and specific factors that may play a role in the effectiveness of these approaches. PMID: 22304881 [PubMed - in proce...

Where's the Action? Understanding What Works and Why in Relationship Education.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:01 +0100

Authors: Wadsworth ME, Markman HJ Abstract The field of couples relationship education has come to a critical junction. We have generally demonstrated that our interventions work (at least in the short run) but to what extent have we shown that the skills and processes we teach are in fact responsible for the success of the intervention? In this paper we review progress made in understanding mechanisms of change in relationship education, explore limitations of this body of research, explicate the barriers that interfere with progress in understanding mechanisms of change in intervention research, and present recommendations on how to proceed from here. Although our goal in this paper is to focus more on issues in the field rather than to present a comprehensive review of the liter...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

How can we improve preventive and educational interventions for intimate relationships?

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:50 +0100

Authors: Bradbury TN, Lavner JA Abstract Improving intimate relationships with preventive and educational interventions has proven to be more difficult than originally conceived, and earlier models and approaches may be reaching their limits. Basic concerns remain about the long-term effectiveness of these interventions, whether they are reaching and benefiting couples most likely to need them, and how they might be exerting their effects. We identify six problems that we believe are hindering progress in the field, and for each we outline research findings that point to new ways forward. These problems include (a) the incomplete understanding of couple communication and unwarranted translation of communication findings into interventions; (b) the surprising stability of relationsh...

What, why, and for whom: couples interventions: a deconstruction approach.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:40 +0100

Authors: Sher TG Abstract This paper provides a commentary on the special series on universal processes and common factors in couple therapy (Halford & Snyder, this issue). The authors in this section share their insights, from varying perspectives, about what it is in couples therapy and relationship education programs that work, why they work, and for whom they work best. In so doing, these articles address specific elements of couples interventions-in effect, taking a couples approach apart in order to understand it better. However, as a collection, this section takes this approach to understanding one step further. It puts the elements back together again, making the process of couples therapy/relationship education more accessible and easier to customize based upon the cou...

Effects of experienced disgust on habituation during repeated exposure to threat-relevant stimuli in blood-injection-injury phobia.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:30 +0100

Authors: Olatunji BO, Ciesielski BG, Wolitzky-Taylor KB, Wentworth BJ, Viar MA Abstract Despite growing evidence implicating disgust in the etiology of blood-injection-injury (BII) phobia, the relevance of disgust for exposure-based treatment of BII phobia remains largely unknown. Individuals with BII phobia were randomly assigned to a disgust (view vomit videos) or neutral activation (view waterfall videos) condition. They were then exposed to 14 videotaped blood draws, during which fear and disgust levels were repeatedly assessed. Participants then engaged in a behavioral avoidance test (BAT) consisting of exposure to threat-relevant stimuli. Examination of outcome comparing the identical first and last blood-draw clips revealed that fear and disgust toward blood draws was signif...

The effect of communication deficits on anxiety symptoms in infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorders.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:19 +0100

This study represents a first attempt to determine whether deficits in communication skills have an effect on the expression of anxiety in infants and toddlers with autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. Seven hundred thirty-five infants were evaluated with respect to the nature and extent of anxiety symptoms and developmental functioning. Both receptive and expressive communication skills appeared to play a significant role in the manifestation of anxiety symptoms. PMID: 22304886 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Behavior Therapy)

The impact of an 8-day intensive treatment for adolescent panic disorder and agoraphobia on comorbid diagnoses.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:08 +0100

In this study, we analyzed data from an existing randomized controlled trial of intensive treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PDA) to examine the effects of the treatment on comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. The overall frequency and severity of aggregated comorbid diagnoses decreased in a group of adolescents who received an 8-day treatment for PDA. Results suggest that an 8-day treatment for PDA can alleviate the symptoms of some specific comorbid clinical diagnoses; in particular specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobia. These findings suggest that an intensive treatment for PDA is associated with reductions in comorbid symptoms even though disorders other than PDA are not specific treatment targets. PMID: 22304887 [PubMed - in process] (...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

The effects of cognitive behavior therapy delivered by students in a psychologist training program: an effectiveness study.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:57 +0100

Authors: Ost LG, Karlstedt A, Widén S Abstract Relatively little is known about the efficacy of clinically inexperienced student therapists carrying out cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) under supervision during a professional, psychologist training program. The current study evaluated this by collecting pre- and posttreatment data on 591 consecutive patients receiving treatment at the Psychotherapy Clinic of the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Sweden, over an 8-year period. The patients had mainly anxiety disorders or depression with a mean duration of 15years, and received individual CBT for a mean of 18 sessions. They improved significantly on both general measures (Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI], Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], and Quality of Life Inventory [QOLI...

Interoceptive fear conditioning and panic disorder: the role of conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus predictability.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:46 +0100

Authors: Acheson DT, Forsyth JP, Moses E Abstract Interoceptive fear conditioning is at the core of contemporary behavioral accounts of panic disorder. Yet, to date only one study has attempted to evaluate interoceptive fear conditioning in humans (see Acheson, Forsyth, Prenoveau, & Bouton, 2007). That study used brief (physiologically inert) and longer-duration (panicogenic) inhalations of 20% CO(2)-enriched air as an interoceptive conditioned (CS) and unconditioned (US) stimulus and evaluated fear learning in three conditions: CS only, CS-US paired, and CS-US unpaired. Results showed fear conditioning in the paired condition, and fearful responding and resistance to extinction in an unpaired condition. The authors speculated that such effects may be due to difficulty discrimi...

Scrupulosity in islam: a comparison of highly religious Turkish and canadian samples.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:36 +0100

Authors: Inozu M, Clark DA, Karanci AN Abstract Scrupulosity is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by a tendency to have persistent doubts about God, sin, and the adequacy of one's religious behaviors and devotion. To date, no published studies have compared scrupulosity in high- and low-religious Muslim and Christian samples. In the present study religious school students as well as high- and low-religious university students in Turkey and Canada were compared on the Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity (PIOS), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-44), and symptom measures of obssesionality and negative affect. Between-group comparisons revealed that the highly religious Turkish sample scored significantly higher than the highly religious Canadian students on th...

The role of "interoceptive" fear conditioning in the development of panic disorder.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:25 +0100

The role of "interoceptive" fear conditioning in the development of panic disorder. Behav Ther. 2012 Mar;43(1):203-15 Authors: De Cort K, Griez E, Büchler M, Schruers K Abstract More than 20% of the general population experience a panic attack at least once in their lives; however, only a minority goes on to develop panic disorder (PD). Conditioning mechanisms have been proposed to explain this evolution in persons who are susceptible to developing panic disorder upon a "traumatic" panic attack. According to preparedness theory, some cues are more likely to condition than others, namely, those referring to internal, bodily signals of danger. The aim of the present study was to test this theory in a differential conditioning paradigm, making use of scripts referring to diff...

Couple therapy for military veterans: overall effectiveness and predictors of response.

Behavior Therapy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:14 +0100

Authors: Doss BD, Rowe LS, Morrison KR, Libet J, Birchler GR, Madsen JW, McQuaid JR Abstract Despite the numerous challenges facing U.S. veterans and their relationships, there have been no examinations of the effectiveness of couple therapy for relationship distress provided to veterans. In the present study, 177 couples presenting for couple therapy at two Veteran Administration Medical Centers completed assessments of relationship satisfaction prior to therapy and weekly during therapy. Results revealed that the average couple showed significant gains in relationship satisfaction during treatment (d=0.44 for men; d=0.47 for women); gains were larger for couples beginning therapy in the distressed range (d=0.61 for men; d=0.58 for women) than for couples in the nondistressed rang...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

ADHD News Not Fit to Print

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:37:04 +0100

The fact that some individuals harbor unfounded doubts about ADHD isn't surprising to see in print once again. The fact that a reputable newspaper like the NY Times would publish an individual's opinion stated as fact, without regard to basic science, was more troublesome.read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Food Suddenly Feels Perilous, Here's Comfort for Those With Allergies and Intolerances

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:22:40 +0100

Six million kids have food allergies–40 percent of them life-threatening–and one in 133 Americans has a diagnosis of celiac disease. Millions more have wheat allergies or gluten intolerance. Now what?read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

A Greedy Egomaniac's Problem With Today's Robber Barons

Psychology Today Personality Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:53 +0100

My friends say the problem with today’s robber barons is that they’re greedy egomaniacs, but I don’t think that nails it. What after all is egomania? It’s some extreme on a continuum I ride too. read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

How to Maintain a Consistent Meditative Practice

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:33:04 +0100

We are creatures of habit. For proof, you only need to observe children. They thrive on routines and within familiar environments. Bedtime rituals such as tucking kids in, reading them a story, or singing them a song, calm and relax them.read more (Source: Psychology Today Anxiety Center)

How to Tell When Therapy Won’t Work

CounsellingResource.com News and Features — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:49:54 +0100

Learn to recognize these three red flags that the therapeutic process isn't likely to work for a character disturbed individual in your life. Successful therapy for character disturbance does not depend on any of the these mainstays of traditional therapy, like focusing on feelings, trying to 'see' what the person is doing, or working on fears and insecurities and self-esteem issues. Part 3 of a series.Tags: CBT, character disturbance, personality disorders, relationships, therapy (Source: CounsellingResource.com News and Features)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Sexual CPR

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:08:26 +0100

is about breathing new life into your erotic relationship. Finding a way to flame desire. Valentine's Day is a great excuse to take out the resuscitation paddles and apply with vigor. read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Are depressed kids bully magnets?

CNN.com - Health — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:34:36 +0100

Psychologists, not to mention parents, have long observed that kids who seem depressed tend to have trouble being accepted by their peers. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Neurogenic Bladder

Anesthesiology Research and Practice — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:16:29 +0100

Congenital anomalies such as meningomyelocele and diseases/damage of the central, peripheral, or autonomic nervous systems may produce neurogenic bladder dysfunction, which untreated can result in progressive renal damage, adverse physical effects including decubiti and urinary tract infections, and psychological and social sequelae related to urinary incontinence. A comprehensive bladder-retraining program that incorporates appropriate education, training, medication, and surgical interventions can mitigate the adverse consequences of neurogenic bladder dysfunction and improve both quantity and quality of life. The goals of bladder retraining for neurogenic bladder dysfunction are prevention of urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, detrusor overdistension, and progressive upper ...

Mental health at work: Creating safe workplaces

CTV Health — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:30:40 +0100

Research shows that one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime but employees are still unsure how to address psychological health in the workplace. (Source: CTV Health)

Love Lessons No. 2: Love Takes Work (Sex Does, Too!)

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:38:37 +0100

In last week's post, I introduced the idea that a good relationship needs to have space for each individual person. Two separate people come together to make something new that is more than either could have alone. Today, I want to build on that idea by suggesting that there are actually three entities in any good relationship: you, me, and the relationship itself.read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

How to Influence and Persuade With Touch

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:35:59 +0100

Ever wonder why your date or mate is disagreeable? Perhaps they are missing a little influential physical contact. Learn to touch, nuzzle, and cuddle your way to persuasive relationship success!read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

The Best Medicine For A Stressed Worker

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A worker experiencing the stress of intense workdays might develop somatic symptoms, such as stomach ache or headache, which will eventually lead to taking leave of absence. But when the individual's supervisor offers emotional and instrumental support, the employee is more likely to recover without needing to take that extra afternoon or day off. This has been shown in a new study from the University of Haifa, soon to be published in the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Too Much Emphasis On Time And Money Affects Happiness

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

What does "free time" mean to you? When you're not at work, do you pass the time -- or spend it? The difference may impact how happy you are. A new study shows people who put a price on their time are more likely to feel impatient when they're not using it to earn money. And that hurts their ability to derive happiness during leisure activities. Treating time as money can actually undermine your well-being," says Sanford DeVoe, one of two researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management who carried out the study. Prof... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Strategy Shift With Age Can Lead To Navigational Difficulties

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A Wayne State University researcher believes studying people's ability to find their way around may help explain why loss of mental capacity occurs with age. Scott Moffat, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and gerontology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Institute of Gerontology at WSU, said studies have demonstrated reliable differences in navigation and spatial learning tasks based on age. Younger adults tend to outperform their elders in spatial navigation, Moffat said, and people seem to start switching navigational strategies with age... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Seeking Solitude

Psychology Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

The necessary art of alone time. (Source: Psychology Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Hormonal and Experiential Predictors of Infant Survivorship and Maternal Behavior in a Monogamous Primate (Callicebus cupreus)

American Journal of Primatology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

To better understand the roles that hormones and experience play in infant survival and maternal behavior in a biparental primate species, we analyzed urinary estrone (E1C) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) from 24 socially housed titi monkey (Callicebus cupreus) females over 54 pregnancies (N = 1,430 samples). Pregnancies were categorized according to whether the infant survived (N = 35) or not (N = 19), and by maternal parity (primiparous: N = 9; multiparous: N = 45). Mothers of infants that survived had a significantly greater drop in PdG from the third trimester to the first week postpartum than mothers of infants that did not survive. Multiparous mothers had a greater increase in PdG from the first to the third trimester as well as greater increases in the E1C:PdG ratio from the...

Juggling Priorities: Female Mating Tactics in Phayre's Leaf Monkeys

American Journal of Primatology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We examined female mate preferences across defined receptive periods (N = 59) in a group of wild Phayre's leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus phayrei crepusculus) at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (February–September 2006; 2,603 contact hours). The group contained seven cycling adult females and three reproductively active males (one adult and two adolescents). We predicted that females would prefer the adult male during periovulatory (POP) receptive periods, but the adolescent males during nonperiovulatory (NPOP) and postconceptive (PC) periods. We collected focal and ad libitum data on sexual and agonistic behaviors to determine female preferences and male awareness of female fertility. We also determined the degree of mating overlap to assess if males were capable of monopolizing females. Our ...

An Evaluation of the Efficacy of Video Displays for Use With Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

American Journal of Primatology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Video displays for behavioral research lend themselves particularly well to studies with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), as their vision is comparable to humans’, yet there has been no formal test of the efficacy of video displays as a form of social information for chimpanzees. To address this, we compared the learning success of chimpanzees shown video footage of a conspecific compared to chimpanzees shown a live conspecific performing the same novel task. Footage of an unfamiliar chimpanzee operating a bidirectional apparatus was presented to 24 chimpanzees (12 males, 12 females), and their responses were compared to those of a further 12 chimpanzees given the same task but with no form of information. Secondly, we also compared the responses of the chimpanzees in the video display con...

Rethinking Closeness and Distance in Intimate Relationships: Are They Really Two Opposites?

Journal of Family Issues — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this article, the author presents a theoretical scheme focusing on the relation between closeness and distance in intimate relationships. This challenges a commonly held notion, which maintains that the two constructs are opposite poles on a single continuum. The authors present an alternative conceptualization employing dialectical and reflective thinking, resulting in a multidimensional conceptual model. Accordingly, apparent opposites at preliminary dimensions of experience may be unified into a shared construction of dyadic closeness and distance, when reflected on through a higher systemic mode of thinking. This process leads to a second-order level of dyadic closeness, which is indicative of the quality of the intimate relationship. The relevance of the model to different cultural...

A Longitudinal Investigation of Commitment Dynamics in Cohabiting Relationships

Journal of Family Issues — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This longitudinal study followed 120 cohabiting, opposite-sex couples over 8 months to test hypotheses derived from commitment theory about how two types of commitment (dedication and constraint) operate during cohabitation. In nearly half the couples, there were large differences between partners in terms of dedication. These differences were associated with lower relationship adjustment, even controlling for overall level of dedication. Furthermore, among couples who believed in the institution of marriage, cohabiting women were, on average, more dedicated than their partners. Additionally, there was evidence that constraints (e.g., signing a lease, having a joint bank account) make it less likely that couples think they will break up, regardless of relationship dedication. This finding ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Trajectories of Marital Conflict Across the Life Course: Predictors and Interactions With Marital Happiness Trajectories

Journal of Family Issues — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Using typologies outlined by Gottman and Fitzpatrick as well as institutional and companionate models of marriage, the authors conducted a latent class analysis of marital conflict trajectories using 20 years of data from the Marital Instability Over the Life Course study. Respondents were in one of three groups: high, medium (around the mean), or low conflict. Several factors predicted conflict trajectory group membership; respondents who believed in lifelong marriage and shared decisions equally with their spouse were more likely to report low and less likely to report high conflict. The conflict trajectories were intersected with marital happiness trajectories to examine predictors of high and low quality marriages. A stronger belief in lifelong marriage, shared decision making, and hus...

Marital and Family Satisfaction as a Function of Work-Family Demands and Community Resources: Individual- and Couple-Level Analyses

Journal of Family Issues — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study uses individual- and couple-level analyses to examine the influence of work–family demands and community resources on marital and family satisfaction within a sample of dual-earner parents with dependent children (N = 260 couples, 520 individuals). Total couple work hours were strongly negatively associated with marital satisfaction for both fathers and mothers. Work hours may be best studied as a couple-level demand, and working shorter combined hours, if possible, may be a central component of a broader adaptive strategy. Negative work-to-family spillover was negatively associated with parents’ family satisfaction, but for mothers this relationship was mediated by negative affect and (marginally) by couple disagreements. Finally, fathers’ neighborhood friends...

Knowledge Work, Working Time, and Use of Time Among Finnish Dual-Earner Families: Does Knowledge Work Require the Marginalization of Private Life?

Journal of Family Issues — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study investigates the family situation of knowledge workers, the concentration of knowledge workers into family, working time, and use of time in different family types. The analysis is based on the Finnish Use of Time data (1999-2000) using family(spouse)-level data. Compared with other categories of employment, the results suggest only minor quantitative differences between knowledge worker families in working time and use of time. However, the results show that qualitative experience of time varied across families. Knowledge work families especially experienced feelings of hurriedness and time famine. (Source: Journal of Family Issues)

Marital Status, Gender, and Home-to-Job Conflict Among Employed Parents

Journal of Family Issues — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Although researchers argue that single parents perceive more work–family conflict than married parents, little research has examined nuances in such differences. Using data from the 2002 National Study of Changing Workforce (N = 1,430), this study examines differences in home-to-job conflict by marital status and gender among employed parents. Findings indicate that single mothers feel more home-to-job conflict than single fathers, married mothers, and married fathers. Some predictors of home-to-job conflict vary by marital status and gender. Job pressure is related to home-to-job conflict more for single parents than for married parents. Age of children is related to conflict for single fathers only. Whereas an unsupportive workplace culture is related to conflict especially for mar...

New study: Adolescents suffering from depression more likely to be bullied

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Arizona State University) A new study provides evidence that adolescents who suffer from depression are more likely to develop difficulty in peer relationships including being bullied at school. It's often assumed that being bullied leads to psychological problems, such as depression, but the study doesn't support this line of thought. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Introduction: in the aftermath of the so-called memory wars.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: Belli RF Abstract The term "memory wars" has been used by some to characterize the intense debate that emerged in the 1990s regarding the veracity of recovered memories of child sexual abuse. Both sides in this debate have been motivated by scientific and ethical concerns. Recent years have witnessed a burgeoning of relevant behavioral and neuroimaging evidence that when taken together, points the way toward reconciliation. All of the contributors to this volume acknowledge that true recoveries characterize a substantive proportion of recovery experiences and that suggestive therapeutic techniques may promote false memories. Disagreements continue to exist on the cognitive and motivational processes that can lead to true recoveries and the extent to which false recovered m...

The cognitive neuroscience of true and false memories.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: Johnson MK, Raye CL, Mitchell KJ, Ankudowich E Abstract Of central relevance to the recovered/false memory debate is understanding the factors that cause us to believe that a mental experience is a memory of an actual past experience. According to the source monitoring framework (SMF), memories are attributions that we make about our mental experiences based on their subjective qualities, our prior knowledge and beliefs, our motives and goals, and the social context. From this perspective, we discuss cognitive behavioral studies using both objective (e.g., recognition, source memory) and subjective (e.g., ratings of memory characteristics) measures that provide much information about the encoding, revival and monitoring processes that yield both true and false memories. Th...

Towards a cognitive and neurobiological model of motivated forgetting.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: Anderson MC, Huddleston E Abstract Historically, research on forgetting has been dominated by the assumption that forgetting is passive, reflecting decay, interference, and changes in context. This emphasis arises from the pervasive assumption that forgetting is a negative outcome. Here, we present a functional view of forgetting in which the fate of experience in memory is determined as much by motivational forces that dictate the focus of attention as it is by passive factors. A central tool of motivated forgetting is retrieval suppression, a process whereby people shut down episodic retrieval to control awareness. We review behavioral, neurobiological, and clinical research and show that retrieval suppression leads us to forget suppressed experiences. We discuss key que...

Searching for repressed memory.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: McNally RJ Abstract This chapter summarizes the work of my research group on adults who report either repressed, recovered, or continuous memories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) or who report no history of CSA. Adapting paradigms from cognitive psychology, we tested hypotheses inspired by both the "repressed memory" and "false memory" perspectives on recovered memories of CSA. We found some evidence for the false memory perspective, but no evidence for the repressed memory perspective. However, our work also suggests a third perspective on recovered memories that does not require the concept of repression. Some children do not understand their CSA when it occurs, and do not experience terror. Years later, they recall the experience, and understanding it as abuse, suffer i...

A theoretical framework for understanding recovered memory experiences.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: Brewin CR Abstract If recovered memory experiences appear counter-intuitive, this is in part due to misconceptions about trauma and memory, and to a failure to adopt a comprehensive model of memory that distinguishes personal semantic memory, autobiographical event memory, and memory appraisal. Memory performance is generally superior when events, including traumas, are central to identity. Prolonged trauma in childhood, however, can produce severe identity disturbances that may interfere with the encoding and later retrieval of personal semantic and autobiographical event information. High levels of emotion either at encoding or recall can also interfere with the creation of coherent narrative memories. For example, high levels of shock and fear when memories are recovere...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Cognitive underpinnings of recovered memories of childhood abuse.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: Geraerts E Abstract Recent research on recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse has shown that there are at least two types of recovered memory experiences: those that are gradually recovered within the context of suggestive therapy and those that are spontaneously recovered, without extensive prompting or explicit attempts to reconstruct the past. These recovered memory experiences have different origins, with people who recover memories through suggestive therapy being more prone to forming false memories, and with people who report spontaneously recovered memories being more prone to forgetting prior instances of remembering. Additionally, the two types of recovered memory experiences are linked to differences in corroborative evidence, implying that memories recove...

Motivated forgetting and misremembering: perspectives from betrayal trauma theory.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: DePrince AP, Brown LS, Cheit RE, Freyd JJ, Gold SN, Pezdek K, Quina K Abstract Individuals are sometimes exposed to information that may endanger their well-being. In such cases, forgetting or misremembering may be adaptive. Childhood abuse perpetrated by a caregiver is an example. Betrayal trauma theory (BTT) proposes that the way in which events are processed and remembered will be related to the degree to which a negative event represents a betrayal by a trusted, needed other. Full awareness of such abuse may only increase the victim's risk by motivating withdrawal or confrontation with the perpetrator, thus risking a relationship vital to the victim's survival. In such situations, minimizing awareness of the betrayal trauma may be adaptive. BTT has implications for the...

Epilogue: continuing points of contention in the recovered memory debate.

Nebraska Symposium on Motivation — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:02 +0100

Authors: Belli RF Abstract Four contentious issues in the recovered memory debate are explored. Volume contributors offer differing perspectives on the generalizability of laboratory research, on the role of emotion in memory, on the prevalence of false recoveries, and on the motivations that underlie differences in opinion, especially with regard to whether the debate ought to be framed within a larger sociopolitical context. The recovered memory debate is argued to center on two ethical concerns that happen to be in conflict, equality among groups on one hand and due process protections on the other. Additional movement toward reconciliation is possible with a fair assessment of all available evidence, with a mutual understanding of differing perspectives, and with civil discours...

Should Teachers and Students Be “Friends” Online?

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:44:27 +0100

While most educators behave appropriately online, there are a few who don't. And as the saying goes, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Human morality begins early in infants

Health News - UPI.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:35:13 +0100

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A U.S. professor of psychology says research shows human morality begins in infancy. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Couples Friendships and Marriage Enrichment

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:17:52 +0100

Marriage enrichment is a well-established approach to improving one's marriage. It usually involves getting together with like minded people, sometimes with a professional in the room and other times with a lay leader, and exploring in a structured way strengthening a couple's relationship.read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Why You Should Vacation While Grieving

Psychology Today Depression Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:12:24 +0100

I met Claire in, of all places, the Grenadines about five years ago. It was a cold November back at our homes in the Midwest. We were both Americans researching travel stories and simply enjoying the country's many little islands and undeveloped beaches.read more (Source: Psychology Today Depression Center)

Josh Powell, Dangerous Men, Child Visitation and Joint Custody Laws

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:49:52 +0100

This essay calls for stronger safety measures by the courts in cases of domestic violence and suspected homicide. read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Six Degrees of Social Influence

Psychology Today Work Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:45:57 +0100

Why would a world-renowned group of psychologists and marketing researchers team up with a man who was once the world’s most wanted computer hacker to write about one man’s social influence?read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Can You "Love" Your Friend?

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:26:55 +0100

If I tell you I am attracted to my male friend, Tim, what do you think I'm saying? It turns out there are four ways attraction is experienced in male-female friendship.read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Understanding How We Filter Our Thoughts

Psychology Today Personality Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:49:26 +0100

Much as CBT therapists understand people's problems through the lens of dysfunctional thoughts, many psychodynamic theorists use the Malan Triangle as a basic framework to understand the defensive system. read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

Personality Tests for Your Characters

Psychology Today Personality Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:23:57 +0100

Learn how to use psychological personality tests to construct unique character profiles and better understand why your characters do what they do!read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

Beyond Sexual Orientation

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:46:17 +0100

For today's youth, their sexual partner's gender matters less than the fulfillment of their physical desires.read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

Most Memorable Quotes on Unrequited Love

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:12:25 +0100

There's something terribly tragic about unrequited love. Some have even committed suicide over it. Yet in a sense what could be more romantic? An "untried" love is virtually without limits precisely because—never having really begun—there's been no opportunity for disillusionment to set in.read more (Source: Psychology Today Anxiety Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Documentation That DSM 5 Publication Must Be Delayed

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:13:46 +0100

I wrote last week that DSM 5 is so far behind schedule it can't possibly produce a usable document in time for its planned publication date in May 2013. My blog stimulated two interesting responses that illustrate the stark contrast between DSM 5 fantasy and DSM 5 reality.read more (Source: Psychology Today Anxiety Center)

Put Some Mindfulness Into Your Eating

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:28:10 +0100

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, you can benefit from putting mindfulness into your eating habits. Cornell food and nutrition psychologist Brian Wansick provides expert advice on how to limit your eating by making simple changes in your lifestyle and mindset.read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

7 Signs Your Relationship's (Probably) On The Rocks

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:08:55 +0100

Do you spend time wondering if your relationship is on the rocks? How you answer the 7 questions below will tell you if your relationship is at risk for dissolution.read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

The Domino Effect

Psychology Today Personality Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:06:40 +0100

The domino effect is where we approach our goals in a mindful, positive way; focusing on the process and the journey, rather than becoming outcome-oriented. In this way we always benefit and in some sense succeed from being on the path, whether or not we reach that final domino.read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

How to Change a Teenager's Life

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:39:56 +0100

Have you ever wondered how you could personally change an adolescent’s life, perhaps inspire a career or fuel a young person’s desire to make a difference in the world? While parents are a huge part of kid’s lives, research shows that other adults play equally significant roles. read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Hypo-Hypochondria, Or Is It Me?

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:41:52 +0100

Comedian Richard Lewis once began a performance by saying, "I just came from spending a weekend with my family; I can't tell you how glad I am to be speaking in front of 20,000 strangers." I don't like to whine and complain about my various physical ailments to my friends and family... much. read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

Don't Treat Your Best Customers Like Morons and Marks

Psychology Today Work Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:23:12 +0100

I recently cancelled an online service. It was a monthly subscription model. A solid service. It's just that my needs had changed and I no longer needed it. I might have in the future, though, and figured I'd go back to it "if and when."read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Online Dating Falls Short, But Offers Some Benefits

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Online dating has become a billion dollar industry and is today a common way for people to meet potential mates - however, a new report written by researchers from Northwestern University and published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest has said that online dating websites fall short of their potential, make several phony claims, but do offer some benefits. Just two decades ago, online dating did not exist. Nowadays, thousands of websites claim to be able to help us seek out our long-lost soulmate, and set us on our way to living happily ever after... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

3 Things to Know About the Psychology of Playing the Markets

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:59:59 +0100

Anyone can better at investing once they realize it is first and foremost a psychological game. read more (Source: Psychology Today Anxiety Center)

Power Connects People

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:57:15 +0100

When you think of people who are strongly driven to acquire power, what kinds of things do you imagine they are after? Is power about having: influence over others, money, status, glory, independence, self-confidence? read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Nora Volkow Explains (Not Really) Why People Don't Become Addicted

Psychology Today Addiction Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:14:54 +0100

The latest study purporting to identify the inbred biological factors in addiction calls to mind age-old questions about the nature of science. We in America prefer neat-sounding—but useless—laboratory findings over identifying the factors that actually account for behavior.read more (Source: Psychology Today Addiction Center)

A sniff of trust: Meta-analysis of the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on face recognition, trust to in-group, and trust to out-group

Psychoneuroendocrinology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:13:24 +0100

Summary: The neuropeptide oxytocin has a popular reputation of being the ‘love’ hormone. Here we test meta-analytically whether experiments with intranasal administration of oxytocin provide support for the proposed effects of oxytocin. Three psychological effects were subjected to meta-analysis: facial emotion recognition (13 effect sizes, N=408), in-group trust (8 effect sizes, N=317), and out-group trust (10 effect sizes; N=505). We found that intranasal oxytocin administration enhances the recognition of facial expressions of emotions, and that it elevates the level of in-group trust. The hypothesis that out-group trust is significantly decreased in the oxytocin condition was not supported. It is concluded that a sniff of oxytocin can change emotion perception and behavior in trust...

Neuroendocrine response to CRF stimulation in veterans with and without PTSD in consideration of war zone era

Psychoneuroendocrinology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:13:24 +0100

Conclusions: A uniform pattern of PTSD-related alterations in the response to intravenous CRF was not found. Rather, PTSD-related alterations were found only in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, and were characterized by an enhanced pituitary response to CRF which may reflect increased sensitivity of pituitary corticotrophs or CRF hyposecretion. Together with previous neuroendocrine findings, the data suggest the HPA axis is dysregulated in Gulf War veterans in unique ways which may reflect the long-term effects of environmental exposures in addition to disease effects. Further work is needed to characterize these effects and their impact on long-term psychological and medical outcomes. (Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology)

Help! My Kid Is Being Treated Like an Outcast

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:11:49 +0100

My 7-year-old son has recently started coming home saying that he isn't wanted at school. He asks me: Why is it that he is not accepted amongst his peers? Is there something wrong with him? He is the only second grade and has been identified as gifted and talented. read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Parental depressive symptoms and children’s sleep: the role of family conflict

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:06 +0100

Conclusions: Findings build on this scant literature and highlight the importance of identifying pathways of risk and familial and environmental influences on children’s sleep problems. (Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Why Steve Jobs Is a Leadership Nightmare

Psychology Today Personality Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:26:14 +0100

Steven Jobs was one of the most successful entrepreneurial leaders of the last half-century. He will likely be remembered as one of business's iconic leaders. Many of my students admire him. That is the problem.read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

Real Love, Not Just Real Attraction

Psychology Today Addiction Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:17:15 +0100

So many people confuse the feeling of attraction with the emotion of love. For some who are in chronically dangerous and pathological relationships, it's obvious that you have these two elements "mixed up." Not being able to untangle these understandably, can keep people on the same path of unsafe relationship selection, because they keep choosing the same way and getting the same people!read more (Source: Psychology Today Addiction Center)

Evidence‐based recommendations for the development of obesity prevention programs targeted at preschool children

Obesity Reviews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:44:28 +0100

SummaryThe ToyBox intervention was developed using an evidence‐based approach, using the findings of four reviews. These reviews included three critical and narrative reviews of educational strategies and psychological approaches explaining young children's acquisition and formation of energy‐balance related behaviours, and the management of these behaviours, and also a systematic review of behavioural models underpinning school‐based interventions in preschool and school settings for the prevention of obesity in children aged 4–6 years.This paper summarises and translates the findings from these reviews into practical evidence based recommendations for researchers and policy‐makers to consider when developing and implementing interventions for the prevention of overweight and ob...

A narrative review of psychological and educational strategies applied to young children's eating behaviours aimed at reducing obesity risk

Obesity Reviews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:44:20 +0100

SummaryStrategies to reduce risk of obesity by influencing preschool children's eating behaviour are reviewed. The studies are placed in the context of relevant psychological processes, including inherited and acquired preferences, and behavioural traits, such as food neophobia, ‘enjoyment of food’ and ‘satiety responsiveness’. These are important influences on how children respond to feeding practices, as well as predictors of obesity risk. Nevertheless, in young children, food environment and experience are especially important for establishing eating habits and food preferences. Providing information to parents, or to children, on healthy feeding is insufficient. Acceptance of healthy foods can be encouraged by five to ten repeated tastes. Recent evidence suggests rewarding heal...

Bedroom as Sanctuary: the Ultimate Valentine

Psychology Today Sex Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:02:21 +0100

5 steps to creating the bedroom of your dream just in time for Valentine's Day.read more (Source: Psychology Today Sex Center)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

After Concussion, Over-Reliance On Computer Tests In Return-To-Plan Decisions Questioned

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A new study by researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus and Pace University is critical of the widespread use of computerized neuropsychological tests (CNT) in decisions regarding when athletes can return to play after suffering a concussion. "Our knowledge of the effects of concussions continues to evolve," said Thomas Redick, assistant professor of psychology at IUPUC. "We should continue to ask ourselves what the best practices are when dealing with a brain injury, which is what a concussion is... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Would You Be Your Own Friend?

Psychology Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

We're often blind to the not-so-wonderful traits we possess—but quick to point them out in others. (Source: Psychology Today)

Chronic Pain and Resveratrol: The Pleasure of Relief

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:26:14 +0100

Life is looking up if you enjoy grapes, peanuts and dark chocolate. Last month it was announced that researchers at the University of Arizona School of Medicine demonstrated that resveratrol, a compound found in these foods, may be beneficial as a treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions.read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

Journalist Michael Hastings, Purveyor of Truth

Psychology Today Personality Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:14:12 +0100

Michael Hastings (born in 1980) is a journalist who hates war. He tries to see things from many points of view so he assumes he'd feel differently about violence or war if someone were breaking into his house or enemies were invading his country. And he realizes the flip side of war is adventurism and the excitement of being in life or death situations.read more (Source: Psychology Today Personality Center)

Amniotic fluid elicits appetitive responses in human newborns: Fatty acids and appetitive responses

Developmental Psychobiology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractIn humans, maternal cues guide newborns to the maternal breast, and transitional cues may be present in maternal–fetal fluids. The aim of the present study was to determine the consistent presence of sensorial cues in three maternal–fetal fluids—amniotic fluid, colostrum, and milk—and test the ability of these cues to produce appetitive responses in newborns. In the analytical study, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) detected eight fatty acids consistently present in the amniotic fluid, colostrum, and milk from 12 healthy volunteers, but we do not find a mammalian pheromone, identified in another mammalian species (rabbits), in another 30 volunteers. In the behavioral study, we explored the ability of amniotic fluid or its fatty acids to produce appetitive re...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Early maternal care predicts reliance on social learning about food in adult rats

Developmental Psychobiology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractMany vertebrates rely extensively on social information, but the value of information produced by other individuals will vary across contexts and habitats. Social learning may thus be optimized by the use of developmental or current cues to determine its likely value. Here, we show that a developmental cue, early maternal care, correlates with social learning propensities in adult rodents. The maternal behavior of rats Rattus norvegicus with their litters was scored over the first 6 days postpartum. Rat dams show consistent individual differences in the rate they lick and groom (LG) pups, allowing them to be categorized as high, low, or mid‐LG mothers. The 100‐day old male offspring of high and low‐LG mothers were given the opportunity to learn food preferences for novel diet...

Salivary alpha‐amylase during pregnancy: Diurnal course and associations with obstetric history, maternal demographics, and mood

Developmental Psychobiology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractDiurnal patterns of salivary alpha amylase (sAA) in pregnant women have not previously been described. The current study employed ecological momentary assessment to examine the association between the diurnal sAA, obstetric history, maternal demographics, and mood during pregnancy. Saliva was self‐collected by 83 pregnant women (89% White, age 25.3–43.0 years; mean gestational age 21.9 weeks, range 6–37 weeks; gravida 1–6) at home over three days. Results indicated that current pregnancy (gestational age and fetal sex) and maternal demographics were not related to diurnal sAA. In contrast, a history of previous miscarriage (Parameter = −.17; SE = .05; p < .05) was associated with an atypical diurnal pattern. Even after accounting for obstetric history, trai...

Prenatal cortisol exposure predicts infant cortisol response to acute stress

Developmental Psychobiology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractExperimental animal findings suggest that early stress and glucocorticoid exposure may program the function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in the offspring. The extension of these findings to human development is not yet clear. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 125 mothers and their normally developing children. Amniotic fluid was obtained at, on average, 17.2 weeks gestation; infant behavior and cortisol response to a separation–reunion stress was assessed at 17 months. Amniotic fluid cortisol predicted infant cortisol response to separation–reunion stress: infants who were exposed to higher levels of cortisol in utero showed higher pre‐stress cortisol values and blunted response to stress exposure. The association was independent of pre...

Prospectively assessed early life experiences in relation to cortisol reactivity in adolescents at risk for asthma

Developmental Psychobiology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study supports a relationship between the parent child relationship during the first 2 years of life and later cortisol response to stress in youth at genetic risk for asthma. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol (Source: Developmental Psychobiology)

Family nurture intervention (FNI): methods and treatment protocol of a randomized controlled trial in the NICU

BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with blinded assessment comparing Standard Care (SC) with a novel Family Nurture Intervention (FNI). FNI targets preterm infants born 26-34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and their mothers in the NICU. The intervention incorporates elements of mother-infant interventions with known efficacy and organizes them under a new theoretical context referred to collectively as calming activities. This intervention is facilitated by specially trained Nurture Specialists in three ways: 1) In the isolette through calming interactions between mother and infant via odor exchange, firm sustained touch and vocal soothing, and eye contact; 2) Outside the isolette during holding and feeding via the Calming Cycle; and 3) through family sessions designed to eng...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Long‐term psychological distress in women at risk for hereditary breast cancer adhering to regular surveillance: a risk profile

Psycho-Oncology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: On the basis of the identified risk profile, it is possible to identify vulnerable women at an early stage, who then may be offered additional and individually tailored support. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Psycho-Oncology)

Top off breakfast with -- chocolate cake?

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(American Friends of Tel Aviv University) In a study of nearly 200 clinically obese, non-diabetic adults, professor Daniela Jakubowicz of Tel Aviv University found that a 600-calorie breakfast that includes dessert as well as proteins and carbohydrates can help dieters lose weight and keep it off over the long term. Her research indicates that such a morning meal staves off cravings and defuses psychological addictions to sweet foods. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

I Don't Want My Teen Hanging Around Gay Parents

Psychology Today Sex Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:52:47 +0100

What to do if your teen's friend's parents are gay menread more (Source: Psychology Today Sex Center)

Psychology Professor Writes Poorly Focused Article About Ritalin in the New York Times

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:06:30 +0100

Unfair attack on stimulant medications in the New York Times.read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

MedWorm: Psychology

Contents

ECNP Calendar of Events

Corrigendum to “Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010” [Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol. 21 (2011) 718–779]

Editorial Board

On the Assessment of Emotions and Emotional Competencies

Alexithymia and Irony Comprehension and their Relations with Depression, Anxiety, General Symptomatology and Personality Disorders: A Comparison Between Clinical and Non-Clinical Participants

Construction and Validation of the Self-Conscious Emotions at Work Scale

The Convergence of Alexithymia Measures

Assessing Emotional and Behavioural Problems with the Child Behaviour Checklist: Exploring the Relevance of Adjusting the Norms for the Flemish Community

The Development of Obesity Begins at an Early Age in Captive Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Hormonal Correlates of Paternal Care Differences in the Hylobatidae

Clinical Biochemistry and Hematology of the Elusive Sun‐Tailed Monkey (Cercopithecus solatus) in Gabon: Inaugural Data From the Only Semifree Ranging Colony in the World

Coevolution of Facial Expression and Social Tolerance in Macaques

Sneaky Monkeys: An Audience Effect of Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) on Sexual Behavior

Differences in Activity Budgets and Diet Between Semiprovisioned and Wild‐Feeding Groups of the Endangered Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) in the Central High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Transport of Functionally Appropriate Tools by Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus apella)

Discovery of Miller's Grizzled Langur (Presbytis hosei canicrus) in Wehea Forest Confirms the Continued Existence and Extends Known Geographical Range of an Endangered Primate

Why Aye‐Ayes See Blue

Muscle Mass Scaling in Primates: An Energetic and Ecological Perspective

In Search of the “Meta‐Maven”: An Examination of Market Maven Behavior across Real‐Life, Web, and Virtual World Marketing Channels

Effects of Mood States on Variety Seeking: The Moderating Roles of Personality

Discounting in International Markets and the Face Value Effect: A Double‐ Edged Sword?

Adolescent Motivations for Reality Television Viewing: An Exploratory Study

The Commodification of Self‐Esteem: Branding and British Teenagers

Erratum: Neurodevelopmental MRI brain templates for children from 2 weeks to 4 years of age. C. E. Sanchez, J. E. Richards, and C. R. Almli.

Rage - Coming Soon From a Narcissist Near You

JFK’s Young Intern Lover Reveals Long-held Secrets; Would You?

13 Lessons for Aging Well - Lesson 3

Acceptability and use of postabortion resources by urban women — a pilot study

Do You Mate Like a Cavewoman?

Are You Successful? Ask Yourself These Three Questions.

Time to Eat

Not to Be Antisocial, But—Why Don’t You Leave Me Alone? Part I

Too Posh for Pregnancy?

Digital Dirt: Managing Your Online Identity

Banishing Your Heartache on Valentine's Day

Does gender moderate the relationship between driver aggression and its risk factors?

Occupational driver safety: Conceptualising a leadership-based intervention to improve safe driving performance.

Differentiating risky and aggressive driving: Further support of the internal validity of the Dula Dangerous Driving Index.

On Meeting Carl Gustav Jung

Psychosocial safety climate moderates the job demand-resource interaction in predicting workgroup distress.

Why Men Gave Up Polygamy

Novel insights in the role of peripheral corticotropin‐releasing factor and mast cells in stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity

Should Pregnant Women Forget About a Good Night's Sleep?

Children of Divorce: The Kids Aren't Always Alright

Why Food Isn't an Addiction

The Serious Risks of Low Sleep in Teens

Valentine’s Day at Hogwarts, Part 2

Football Withdrawal Coping Tips

Quit: Do It Now

Fatal Fathers

Lost in Hook-up Land

Universal processes and common factors in couple therapy and relationship education guest editors: w. Kim halford and douglas k. Snyder.

Integrative approaches to couple therapy: implications for clinical practice and research.

Common principles of couple therapy.

Common factors of change in couple therapy.

Toward making progress feedback an effective common factor in couple therapy.

Couple-based interventions for medical problems.

Exploring programmatic moderators of the effectiveness of marriage and relationship education programs: a meta-analytic study.

Common factors in the enhancement of dyadic coping.

Where's the Action? Understanding What Works and Why in Relationship Education.

How can we improve preventive and educational interventions for intimate relationships?

What, why, and for whom: couples interventions: a deconstruction approach.

Effects of experienced disgust on habituation during repeated exposure to threat-relevant stimuli in blood-injection-injury phobia.

The effect of communication deficits on anxiety symptoms in infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorders.

The impact of an 8-day intensive treatment for adolescent panic disorder and agoraphobia on comorbid diagnoses.

The effects of cognitive behavior therapy delivered by students in a psychologist training program: an effectiveness study.

Interoceptive fear conditioning and panic disorder: the role of conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus predictability.

Scrupulosity in islam: a comparison of highly religious Turkish and canadian samples.

The role of "interoceptive" fear conditioning in the development of panic disorder.

Couple therapy for military veterans: overall effectiveness and predictors of response.

ADHD News Not Fit to Print

Food Suddenly Feels Perilous, Here's Comfort for Those With Allergies and Intolerances

A Greedy Egomaniac's Problem With Today's Robber Barons

How to Maintain a Consistent Meditative Practice

How to Tell When Therapy Won’t Work

Sexual CPR

Are depressed kids bully magnets?

Neurogenic Bladder