Blocking of occasion setting in feature-positive discriminations

In two experiments rats received feature-positive discrimination training in which brief conditioned stimuli (CSs) were paired with food during presentations of an extended feature stimulus, and non-reinforced in its absence. In Experiment 1 a novel feature was trained in compound with a second, pretrained feature. Acquisition of control over responding to the CS by the novel feature was blocked if the pretrained feature had also been trained in a feature-positive discrimination, compared to a group for whom the pretrained feature had been accompanied by uncorrelated presentations of CSs and food. Experiment 2 employed a within-subjects design. It demonstrated that the feature from a feature-positive discrimination with a particular CS, x, blocked acquisition of control by an added, novel feature over responding to x, compared to the control acquired by the same novel feature over a novel, CS y.     

Putting a Price Tag on Security: Subjective Well-Being and Willingness-to-Pay for Crime Reduction in Europe

Using information on life satisfaction and crime from the European Social Survey, we apply the life satisfaction approach (LSA) to determine the relationship between subjective well-being (SWB), income, victimization experience, fear of crime and various regional crime rates across European regions. We show that fear of crime and criminal victimization significantly reduce life satisfaction across Europe. Building upon these results, we quantify the monetary value of improvements in public safety and its valuation in terms of individual well-being. The loss in satisfaction for victimized individuals corresponds to 24,174€. Increasing an average individual’s perception within his neighborhood from unsafe to safe yields a benefit equivalent to 14,923€. Our results regarding crime and SWB in Europe largely resemble previous results for different countries and other criminal contexts, whereby using the LSA as a valuation method for public good provision yields similar results as stated preference methods and considerably higher estimates than revealed preference methods.     

Review and Discussion of Strategies to Address Low Trainer‐to‐Staff Ratios

Researchers have developed an array of highly adaptable intervention packages with well‐documented efficacy for staff and teacher training. As indicated by Parsons, Rollyson, and Reid (2012) in their article on best practices in staff training, behavior analysts must use methods that are both effective and efficient given the limited resources of many human service settings (e.g., low trainer‐to‐staff ratios). The purpose of this paper is to summarize research on practical innovations for staff and teacher training, including the use of video‐based technology and self‐instruction materials that may help trainers to operate effectively despite limited time and personnel. Results are discussed in terms of the current state of the evidence for each practical innovation and considerations for integrating these strategies with best practices in staff training. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Categories in the pigeon brain: A reverse engineering approach

Pigeons are well known for their visual capabilities as well as their ability to categorize visual stimuli at both the basic and superordinate level. We adopt a reverse engineering approach to study categorization learning: Instead of training pigeons on predefined categories, we simply present stimuli and analyze neural output in search of categorical clustering on a solely neural level. We presented artificial stimuli, pictorial and grating stimuli, to pigeons without the need of any differential behavioral responding while recording from the nidopallium frontolaterale (NFL), a higher visual area in the avian brain. The pictorial stimuli differed in color and shape; the gratings differed in spatial frequency and amplitude. We computed representational dissimilarity matrices to reveal categorical clustering based on both neural data and pecking behavior. Based on neural output of the NFL, pictorial and grating stimuli were differentially represented in the brain. Pecking behavior showed a similar pattern, but to a lesser extent. A further subclustering within pictorial stimuli according to color and shape, and within gratings according to frequency and amplitude, was not present. Our study gives proof‐of‐concept that this reverse engineering approach—namely reading out categorical information from neural data—can be quite helpful in understanding the neural underpinnings of categorization learning.     

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Structure of Adult ADHD Symptoms

Previous research has examined the factor structure of ADHD symptoms in adults using confirmatory factor analysis and there is mixed support for two-factor, three-factor, or more complex bifactor models. The current study re-examines these factor structures on the basis of not only overall model fit, but also criteria such as chi-square difference tests, invariance, reliability, and validity. Three datasets were pooled to form a total sample of 430 adults (50% female). Participants completed questionnaires assessing their ADHD symptoms, education, psychopathology, and parenting (the latter as validity variables). Although the bifactor models demonstrated the best fit, the reliability and construct replicability of specific factors in these models was poor. The three-factor model had good fit and demonstrated good reliability, validity, construct replicability, and some invariance across gender and dataset. Our results replicate previous studies that find superior fit for bifactor models. However, the superior statistical fit may reflect only the increased complexity of these models. The more parsimonious three-factor model may demonstrate stronger validity and clinical utility.     

Reevaluating Cue Exposure and Response Prevention in a Pilot Study: An Updated Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder

Approximately half of individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) fail to improve when treated with cognitive behavioral therapy; thus, better treatments are needed. Cue exposure and response prevention (CERP) may be one option, but its full potential for reducing binge eating remains unknown because prior applications for binge eating have not utilized the broad range of strategies believed to optimize exposure therapy. The current single-subject AB design investigated the acceptability and effectiveness of a comprehensive CERP treatment among 8 women who met DSM-5 criteria for binge eating disorder. Changes in the number of binges were measured from baseline to the end of treatment, and desire to eat, salivation, and idiographic expectancies of aversive outcomes to food-cue exposure (idiographic CS-US expectancies), including expectancies about ability to tolerate distress when exposed to food cues were measured across the course of treatment. Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in the number of binges from baseline to the end of treatment. Across the course of treatment, desire to eat and idiographic CS-US expectancies reduced, and distress tolerance expectancies increased. No participants dropped out and all reported being maximally satisfied with the treatment. Based on these findings, future randomized-control trials with larger samples should examine the efficacy of CERP and mechanisms underlying change with the aim of establishing a more effective treatment for binge eating disorder.     

The Empirical Status of Cue Exposure and Response Prevention Treatment for Binge Eating: A Systematic Review

Approximately 50% of individuals fail to obtain treatment benefits when undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for binge-eating behaviors, making it necessary to evaluate additional approaches. Cue exposure and response prevention (CERP) is one such approach, although its effectiveness across studies has been inconsistent. This may be due to inconsistent implementation of theoretically based CERP strategies. This possibility has not yet been systematically investigated. To address this gap, this review investigated which CERP strategies have been incorporated into treatment protocols for binge eating, and if the use of certain strategies improves treatment effectiveness. Relevant studies were identified through reference lists, grey literature, and searches of electronic databases using multiple search terms related to CERP and binge eating, which resulted in 18 eligible studies. Most studies were underpowered, many were of low methodological quality, and none of the included studies utilized all of the strategies that have been recommended to optimize CERP. Despite these weaknesses, CERP appeared to reduce the frequency of binge eating in the short and long term. This review underscores the need for higher quality research that utilizes larger samples and uniform outcome measures that are more strongly grounded in theory. Such research would help improve treatment outcomes for binge eating.     

Parenting Cognition and Affective Outcomes Following Parent Management Training: A Systematic Review

Parent management training (PMT) is considered the gold standard in the treatment of child behavior problems. The secondary effects of these interventions, particularly on parent well-being, are infrequently studied, despite evidence that parents of children with behavior problems often experience personal difficulties. This narrative review examined the affective and parenting cognition outcomes of PMT for mothers and fathers of children ages 2–13 years, across 48 controlled treatment studies. Substantial support was found for reductions in parenting stress, and increases in perceived parenting competence following PMT. Evidence indicated fewer improvements in domains more distal from parenting, including parent depressive symptoms and marital relationship dysfunction. A number of studies suggested parent gender as a moderator of parent outcomes of PMT; however, the underrepresentation of fathers in existing research limits conclusions in this regard. Avenues for future research are highlighted to address current gaps in the literature, and to further our understanding of the ways in which both children and parents may benefit from PMT.