干扰控制的训练:内容、效果与机制

研究发现,干扰控制能力具有一定的可塑性。研究者通常选取儿童、成年人、老年人和部分特殊群体为研究对象。研究以Stroop、Flanker等任务为训练任务,训练时间从5天至5周不等,任务量从76至2200试次不等。研究者一般通过行为、脑电和脑成像等技术对训练效果进行评估。训练的研究结果发现,训练后个体的干扰控制能力得到提升,且训练效果可以迁移到其他相关任务中去。干扰控制的训练效果可能受训练任务与评估任务的设置和个体差异等因素的影响。经过认知训练,对冲突信号起监控作用的前扣带回皮层激活程度降低,而执行冲突解决的前额皮层激活程度增强,加强了自上而下的认知控制能力,进而导致干扰控制能力的提升。干扰控制训练的保持效果、机制探讨等问题将成为该领域日后重点关注的内容。     

音乐训练与抑制控制的关系：来自ERPs的证据

抑制控制是人类非常重要的认知功能之一, 它对个体适应环境具有重要的意义。本研究将抑制控制细分为反应抑制和冲突控制, 采用Go/No-go和Stroop任务从行为和脑电层面, 考察了音乐训练与抑制控制能力的关系及其认知神经机制。结果发现：在行为指标上, 音乐训练组比控制组的Stroop干扰效应更小, 但两组被试在Go/No-go任务表现上没有差异。在脑电指标上, 在Go/No-go任务中音乐训练组的N2差异波和P3差异波波幅(No-go减Go条件)显著大于控制组, 在Stroop任务中音乐训练组的N450差异波波幅(不一致减一致条件)也显著大于控制组, 但两组被试的SP差异波波幅(不一致减一致条件)无显著差异。结果表明：音乐训练组被试在反应抑制任务中可能具有更强的冲突监控和运动抑制能力, 在冲突控制任务中也具有更强的冲突监控能力。本研究从电生理的层面反映了音乐训练与抑制控制能力的提升具有一定的关联。     

空手道训练对大学生自我控制能力的影响:来自行为和脑电的证据

为考察空手道训练能否提高大学生的自我控制能力,研究采用Go/Nogo任务测量个体的认知自控及相应的脑电活动,并加入靠墙直角坐任务测量个体的行为自控能力,比较个体在4周训练干预前后认知和行为自控能力的变化。结果显示,空手道训练组在各项任务中的表现均显著优于无额外运动组,而蹬车运动组介于两组之间且与两组差异均不显著。因此,空手道训练能够稳定有效地提高个体的认知和行为自控能力,原因可能是训练降低了自控资源的易损性。     

抑制控制训练对手机依赖大学生的干预效果

依照手机成瘾倾向量表得分及手机使用时间记录从548名被试中筛选出60名手机依赖大学生,将其随机分配到抑制控制训练组和非训练组进行实验。预期通过抑制控制训练提升手机依赖大学生抑制控制能力,降低其手机依赖水平。结果发现：训练组被试在接受为期8周的抑制控制训练任务后,手机依赖总分、手机使用时间和非训练组相比显著降低,抑制控制能力显著提升。结果表明抑制控制训练对手机依赖大学生的干预效果明显。     

睡眠剥夺对风险决策的影响机制探讨

许多行业的决策者必须在睡眠不足的状态下做出选择与判断。睡眠剥夺是睡眠不足的实验室模型, 被证明能显著影响风险决策, 但内在机制不明。基于前人研究基础提出假设模型, 即睡眠剥夺通过影响个体的反馈加工、风险感知、抑制控制、决策理性, 进而影响风险决策。拟通过实验室研究与现场研究, 采用简单赌博任务、概率折扣任务、双选择Oddball任务等研究范式, 对比睡眠剥夺前后被试在执行上述实验任务时的行为差异, 同时比较执行控制网络、奖赏网络等脑功能网络连接强度, 以及任务诱发的FRN等脑电成分在睡眠剥夺前后的变化, 进而论证上述反应被试反馈加工等心理过程的行为-脑电-脑成像指标的变化与睡眠剥夺后被试风险决策变化的关系。研究结果将科学地解释睡眠剥夺影响风险决策的内在机制, 为进一步探讨如何规避睡眠不足导致的决策失误提供理论与实证依据。     

负性情绪干扰行为抑制控制:一项事件相关电位研究

以往研究提示,行为抑制控制与视觉情绪加工的神经活动存在交互作用,而视觉材料诱发的正、负情绪如何影响行为控制加工过程尚不清楚。采用双选择情绪oddball范式与事件相关电位(ERP)技术,本研究假设视觉情绪刺激的呈现对个体的行为控制能力具有显著影响。实验要求被试对标准刺激与偏差刺激(85%vs.15%)分别做不同的按键反应。偏差刺激由正、负、中三种来自中国情绪图片系统的情绪图片组成。行为结果发现,负性条件下的反应时间显著长于中性与正性条件,而三类偏差刺激的反应时均显著长于标准刺激的反应时。ERP结果显示,不论效价,在240～300ms与350～550ms两个时间窗口,偏差刺激与标准刺激诱发的平均波幅差异显著,表明本研究条件下行为抑制控制效应显著。在代表行为控制加工的偏差-标准差异波中,在上述两窗口内分别出现显著的N2与P3成分。负性条件下N2及P3潜伏期显著长于中性条件;而负性条件下N2波幅显著大于而P3波幅显著小于中性条件。相反,正性条件下N2波幅显著小于而P3波幅显著大于中性条件。因此,本研究从行为与脑电两个层面揭示了情绪对行为控制过程的影响:负性情绪减弱个体的行为控制能力,从而导致个体对反应冲突的觉察变慢及对优势反应的抑制过程更长。相反,正性情绪对行为控制过程可能具有促进作用。     

欺骗判断与欺骗行为中自我控制的影响

欺骗判断与欺骗行为有着不同的心理机制, 正确认识二者之间的关系有助于增强人际间的信任和团队的长远利益。采用行为学实验从两种视角下考察自我控制对欺骗的影响。实验1采用材料评定的方法考察了识别他人自我控制能力状况对欺骗判断的影响, 结果发现对比高自我控制能力的人, 被试更倾向于认为低自我控制能力的人更有可能为了自己的利益产生欺骗行为和欺骗倾向。实验2采用颜色Stroop任务考察了识别他人自我控制资源衰竭状况对欺骗判断的影响, 结果发现当识别他人自我控制资源衰竭时, 在评价他人为自己利益去欺骗、为他人利益去欺骗以及在特定情境中欺骗倾向上, 没有发现任何显著的主效应或交互作用。实验3采用视觉−感知任务来考察不同水平的自我控制能力对欺骗行为的影响, 结果发现, 对比高自我控制组, 低自我控制组有更多的欺骗行为和欺骗倾向。实验4采用颜色Stroop任务和视觉−感知任务来考察自我控制资源对欺骗行为的影响, 结果发现, 对比控制组, 自我控制资源衰竭组有更多的欺骗行为和欺骗倾向。这些研究结果表明, 在进行欺骗判断时, 相比自我控制资源状况, 个体会优先识别他人的自我控制能力水平来判断其是否具有欺骗动机或欺骗倾向。在欺骗行为中, 高自我控制能力的个体, 能够更好地抑制自私动机, 更多的考虑长远利益, 出于自身利益去欺骗的可能性会更小; 自我控制资源充足的个体, 更有可能会经得住诱惑, 自私自利的欺骗行为发生的可能性也会更小。     

冲动特质对青少年认知控制的影响——基于双重认知控制理论

根据双重认知控制理论,抑制控制分为主动性控制和反应性控制。为了探索冲动特质青少年究竟在哪个抑制控制成分存在不足,本研究用冲动性人格量表(BIS-11)选取了高冲动特质和低冲动特质青少年,并记录了他们在完成AX-CPT任务时的反应时和正确率。结果显示:与低冲动个体相比,高冲动个体在BX试次(主动性控制)上的反应时和正确率以及线索辨别力指数上的表现均差于低冲动个体,而在AY试次(反应性控制)上的反应时和正确率以及探测敏感性指标上的表现与低冲动个体没有显著差异。这些结果说明,与低冲动特质青少年相比,高冲动特质青少年的反应性控制保存较好,但主动性控制能力表现出不足。     

饮酒对反应抑制的影响及其神经机制

反应抑制是指个体抑制不合适、不安全、或不需要的行为的能力,是重要的执行控制功能,在成瘾行为的作用下易受到损害。目前众多研究发现饮酒行为与个体反应抑制功能的表现关系密切,即便在个体戒断后也有长时间影响,且对饮酒者后代的抑制能力形成破坏,提高了后代出现成瘾行为的风险。随后从脑结构和神经递质两方面探讨饮酒影响反应抑制功能的机制,并整理了近些年基于双重加工模型提出的反应抑制训练及其在临床干预饮酒行为上的作用。未来研究仍有不少问题值得探索,同时考虑遗传和环境因素是相关研究的关键。     

自闭症谱系障碍者抑制控制的影响因素及神经机制

自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)是一种起源于儿童期的神经发育障碍, ASD的重复刻板行为与其抑制控制发展有密切关系。使用Go/No-go、Flanker及Stroop等范式的研究发现, ASD者抑制控制受损主要表现为反应抑制和干扰抑制能力存在缺陷; 其主要影响因素是任务状态、被试年龄及取样; 涉及的脑区和脑网络集中在前额皮层、前扣带回和基底神经节; 涉及的基因集中在谷氨酸盐、γ-氨基丁酸与5-羟色胺三种神经递质。未来应从脑机制研究入手, 综合考虑任务状态、个体特征对研究结果造成的影响, 并着力开发更有效的干预模式。     

Together – apart: in touch in a time of separation

This paper explores the experience of working as a Jungian analyst through the various phases of the global COVID-19 pandemic, examining the importance of the physical containing space alongside the analyst’s internal mind and how technology can both help and hinder understanding. A number of clinical vignettes illustrate the challenge of communicating over a distance, paying particular attention to the way countertransference phenomena can become re-attuned. Reference is made to mythology and symbols of hope, and consideration given to the meaning and purpose of the pandemic.     

Language,politics and dreams: the challenges of building resilience in refugees

This paper describes a case study of a 60-year-old Peruvian refugee in some detail, focusing on the importance of building emotional resilience in a patient in Spanish in order to create a space for learning the English language – the patient did not speak English after 20 years of living in Britain. The work was carried out with an interpreter and some of the literature on working with interpreters is referred to. The paper also briefly outlines the refugee journey in broad terms, which is a journey from the culturally known to the culturally unknown. The question of how well the literature on resilience, which sits firmly within a Western developmental perspective, can be applied to refugees, most of whom come from group and family-based cultures dominated by ideas of honour and shame, is discussed. The paper also touches on the importance of the receiving country enabling or not, as the case may be, a transitional space for refugees who have lost their home and are seeking to find a safe haven in a strange culture.     

Phenotypic plasticity and archetype: a response to common objections to the biological theory of archetype and instinct

Since Jung’s death in 1961, scholars have attempted to integrate growing biological science data into Jungian concepts such as the collective unconscious, instincts and the archetypes. This enterprise has been challenging due to persistent false dichotomies of gene and environment occasionally arising. Recent works by Roesler (2022a, 2022b) for example, have raised objections to the biological theory of archetypes, but the objections are plagued by such dichotomies. The concept of phenotypic plasticity, however, helps to both avoid this problem as well as bridge the gap between competing theories into a more integrated model with solid biological foundations.     

The Possibility of Meaning in Human Evolution

Science undermines the certitude of non-naturalistic answers to the question of whether human life has meaning. I explore whether evolution can provide a naturalistic basis for existential meaning. Using the work of philosopher Daniel Dennett and scientist Ursula Goodenough, I argue that evolution is the locus of the possibility of meaning because it has produced intentionality, the matrix of consciousness. I conclude that the question of the meaning of human life is an existentialist one: existential meaning is a product of the individual and collective tasks human beings undertake.     

When is it time to stop? When good enough becomes bad enough

This article draws on Winnicott’s concept of the good enough mother to discuss how to know whether a therapeutic situation is good enough to continue or bad enough to end. This dilemma is explored in terms of clinical syndromes, such as anorexia and pathological gambling, but focuses mainly on analyst-initiated endings, which are termed the ‘Casablanca dilemma’, based on an amplification of the ending of the film Casablanca. The author goes on to discuss such one-sided endings, drawing on interviews with 40 analysts and therapists about their clinical experience. A typology of bad enough endings is presented. The psychological differences between a good enough analysis as opposed to a bad enough one are explored through the ideas of Winnicott and Neumann.     

Seeing in the Dark: A View into Dissociation and Healing

In this paper, I will explore the role of art-making, the experience of trauma and dissociation, and the process of working with self-states from an analytic and creative frame. Relevant literature on dissociation, trauma, and the use of art will be discussed. A case involving my work with an adolescent girl who had experienced sexual abuse from a family member will be shared, with an emphasis on the meaningful role images played during the therapeutic process. Both Jungian and psychoanalytic models of conceptualizing and working with dissociation are included, following Donald Kalsched’s (2013) recommendation for a “binocular stance” to treatment, including both a focus on the inner, intrapsychic world and the interpersonal, relational realm, and how art images both illuminated and expressed these realms. Within the therapeutic process, art images allowed the therapist a view into the client’s unconscious process, and created a meeting ground for dissociative barriers to be gradually seen, felt and known, by both therapist and client. The experience of dissociation, in images and in session, provided a reference point for myself and my client, Taylor, to develop a shared understanding and a framework for growth.     

The transcendent function in Spitteler’s Prometheus and Epimetheus

In August 2020, John Beebe and Steve Myers met via Zoom to discuss their differing interpretations of psychological typology and the different sources within Jung’s writings that influenced their books: Integrity in Depth: Energies and Patterns in Psychological Type (Beebe), and Myers-Briggs Typology vs Jungian Individuation (Myers). The discussion centred on Spitteler’s epic poem Prometheus und Epimetheus, which forms the basis of chapter V of Psychological Types. This is both the largest chapter and one of two chapters that Jung highlighted in the Argentine foreword as containing the essence of the book. Jung’s book is primarily about the transformation of personality rather than the categorization of people. Although it contains a critical psychology that deconstructs the nature of consciousness, that is only one half of the book and a stepping-stone to the other half, which is the reconciliation of opposites with particular emphasis on the relation of consciousness and the unconscious. Jung assumed that readers were already familiar with Prometheus und Epimetheus, an understanding of which sheds light on the nature of the transformation that Jung described – the development of a new attitude towards attitude itself.     

Kann Es Ein Argument Für Den Skeptizismus Geben? Das Epistemische Problem Der Irrtumsmöglichkeit

Summary  Is there any argument for scepticism? The epistemic problem of the possibility of error. Arguments for scepticism rest on the assumption that knowledge claims are fallible. For this reason the concept of knowledge appears to be questionable. Since it is necessary to distinguish doubts from possible doubts, the arguments for scepticism appear to be unconvincing. If we take it into account that we know something that is immune to doubt, we should draw the conclusion that, contrary to scepticism, knowledge claims have to be compatible with being fallible. Thus any knowledge claim is capable of being doubted.     

Chapter 6: Biblical Foundations for a Practical Theology of Aging

SUMMARY

This article reviews Biblical sources pertaining to the elderly, particularly the frail elderly. Founded on these sources, implications for elderly with Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia are addressed through a personal perspective informed by writings of Christian mystics.