Equivalence class formation when responding is separated from sample and comparison stimuli: Working memory,priming, and sorting

The experiment determined whether equivalence class formation required overlap of comparison stimuli and responding. Each trial contained a sample first, a single, nonoverlapping comparison second, and a nonoverlapping response-window (RW) third, during which the participant made one of two responses (2R). All 11 participants formed two 3-member ABC equivalence classes using these “trace-stimulus-pairing two-response with response window” (TSP-2R-RW) trials. After adding a fourth stimulus (D) by CD training, ABCD tests showed immediate expansion to 4-member ABCD classes. When 4-member probes (AD, DA, BD, DB, CD, DC) were administered without 3-member probes, many participants showed decrements in class-indicative responding that then resurged to mastery with test repetition. Thus, 3-member probes enhanced class expansion. Class formation occurred for all participants when responding was temporally dissociated from the comparisons. In a matched, contemporaneously published experiment, where responding occurred during comparisons, only 54% of participants formed the classes. Thus, the comparison-response-separation nearly doubled class formation. Additionally, a special post-class-formation sorting test documented the emergence of two explicit equivalence classes. Finally, we noted a 1:1 correspondence for TSP-2R-RW and priming trials. Since priming measures neural substrates of equivalence classes, TSP-2R-RW trials should do the same.     

Confronting Sexism: Promoting Confrontation Acceptance and Reducing Stereotyping through Stereotype Framing

Sex Roles - Relative to confrontations of other forms of prejudice and stereotyping, confronting gender stereotypes can be challenging, in part, because recipients may be unlikely to accept such...     

Reconsidering Empathy: An Interpersonal Approach and Participatory Arts in the Medical Humanities

Journal of Medical Humanities - The decline of empathy among health professional students, highlighted in the literature on health education, is a concern for medical educators. The evidence...     

Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD: A Case Study of a Transgender Male Co-Parenting With Former Spouse and Perpetrator of Domestic Violence

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms have shown to contribute to intimate relationship discord (Taft et al., 2011). Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD; Monson & Fredman, 2012) is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD effective at significantly decreasing PTSD symptoms and increasing relationship satisfaction among dyads (Macdonald et al., 2016). To date, there has only been one case study examining the effectiveness of CBCT for PTSD with a sexual minority couple, (same-sex female couple) leaving uncertainty of the effectiveness of this treatment for other sexual minority couples. This case study examined a married couple’s response to treatment, in which the patient identified as a transgender male and his spouse identified as a cisgender female. The patient was diagnosed with PTSD per a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) total score of 45 (of a maximum of 80). On the CAPS-5, the patient reported a first sexual encounter rape at age 15, from his first marriage with his ex-husband, whom he was dating at the time, as his index trauma. Of note, the patient and his wife currently co-parent two children with the patient’s ex-husband, who perpetrated daily sexual assaults for years during their marriage. Pre-treatment relationship happiness for the couple was “a little unhappy” on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) Relationship Happiness Scale. Patient was also diagnosed with Dysthymia and responded well to continued Bupropion for depression. Following completion of the 15-session CBCT for PTSD protocol, the patient’s diagnosis of PTSD was determined to be in remission as evidenced by a post-treatment CAPS-5 total score of 7. At post-treatment the patient rated his relationship happiness as “happy” and his partner “very happy” on the DAS. The couple demonstrated clinically meaningful changes in areas of PTSD and relationship happiness. Functional improvements were also reported in the patient pursuing new employment and hobbies, improved co-parenting between the patient and his wife, improved sexual functioning, and decreased depression symptoms. Treatment gains were maintained at a 1-month and 3-month follow-up. These results demonstrate the effective use of CBCT for PTSD with a sexual minority couple that has continued co-parenting contact with a perpetrator of domestic violence.     

Specificity of Reward Sensitivity and Parasympathetic-Based Regulation among Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with disruptionsin reward sensitivity and regulatory processes. However, it is unclear whether thesedisruptions are better explained by comorbid disruptive behavior disorder (DBD)symptomology. This study sought to examine this question using multiple levels ofanalysis (i.e., behavior, autonomic reactivity). One hundred seventeen children (aged 6 to 12 years; 72.6% male; 69 with ADHD) completed theBalloon-Analogue Risk Task (BART) to assess external reward sensitivity behaviorally.Sympathetic-based internal reward sensitivity and parasympathetic-based regulationwere indexed via cardiac pre-ejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia(RSA), respectively. Children with ADHD exhibited reduced internal reward sensitivity (i.e.,lengthened PEP; F(1,112)=4.01, p=0.047) compared to healthy controls and werecharacterized by greater parasympathetic-based dysregulation (i.e., reduced RSAaugmentation F(1,112)=10.12, p=0.002). However, follow-up analyses indicated theADHD effect was better accounted for by comorbid DBD diagnoses; that is, childrenwith ADHD and comorbid ODD were characterized by reduced internal rewardsensitivity (i.e., lengthened PEP; t=2.47, p=0.046) and by parasympathetic-baseddysregulation (i.e., reduced RSA augmentation; t=3.51, p=0.002) in response to rewardwhen compared to typically developing youth. Furthermore, children with ADHD and comorbid CD exhibited greater behaviorally-based external reward sensitivity (i.e.,more total pops; F(3,110)= 5.96, p=0.001) compared to children with ADHD only (t=3.87, p=0.001) and children with ADHD and ODD (t=3.56, p=0.003). Results suggest that disruptions in sensitivity to reward may be betteraccounted for, in part, by comorbid DBD.Key Words: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autonomic nervous system,disruptive behavior disorders, reward sensitivityPowered     

Intimate Partner Violence Assessment in an Historical Context: Divergent Approaches and Opportunities for Progress

This paper provides a brief history of the assessment of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States. We examine strengths and weaknesses of the original IPV assessment approaches and describe the modifications and extensions that have been employed to improve our understanding of the multifaceted nature of IPV. We next discuss more recent movements in IPV assessment, including the assessment of non-heterosexual relationships, the examination of various (and often intersecting) forms of IPV, and the identification of qualitatively different types of IPV. We provide an analogy between the assessment of IPV and the assessment of other problems such as depression, and compare the differences between an assessment of symptoms and an assessment of impairment or harm. We conclude by highlighting the need for multi-method assessment approaches that can account for both the frequency and intensity of aggressive acts, as well as the context, motivations, and impacts of such acts, in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of violence in intimate relationships.     

Methodological considerations in developing measures of HIV risk-relevant behaviors and attitudes: An empirical illustration

Abstract

This paper describes the pilot testing of a survey designed to assess the prevalence of HIV exposure risk-relevant behaviors and associated attitudes, beliefs and knowledge in a heterogeneous, ethnically diverse, sexually active population (the US Army). The specific objectives for the pilot test were to: (1) define optimal survey question formats for behavioral and attitude items; (2) identify questions that were poorly worded or that would not contribute to the overall objectives of the survey; (3) assess the extent to which respondents could accurately follow instructions; (4) identify appropriate and culturally relevant terminology for sensitive items; (5) determine the appropriate timeframe for recall of simple and complex sexual behaviors; (6) assess the degree of respondent honesty and belief in the anonymity of the survey results.     

Edgar Allan Poe: A psychological profile

Edgar Allan Poe is often regarded as one of the most well-known American poets of the 19th century. He is best known for his dark, gruesome depictions of emotionally haunted characters. His most famous poem, The Raven, exemplifies this style. To understand what motivated this writing style, we must learn about the man behind the pen. Not surprisingly, Poe had a difficult upbringing, fraught with illness, loss, and poverty. This review will examine Poe’s personal life and discuss how early experiences and possible genetic predispositions may have contributed to his affect and behaviours as an adult.     

Counting black sheep: Contextualizing therapeutic relations

In this paper we draw on feminist and post-colonial theory to situate an account of a six-month therapy between a black, Asian woman therapist and a woman patient of mixed parentage, within contemporary Britain. We draw on this analysis to further the debates between psychotherapeutics and social theory, challenging each in three ways. First, in relation to the literature on culture, class, gender and sexuality in psychotherapy, we indicate how these enter into the therapeutic relation in distinct and intersecting ways, which, second, challenge the separation between inner and outer worlds frequently maintained within psychotherapy circles. Third, in terms of the correlative challenge psychotherapeutic perspectives pose for social theorists and activists, we highlight how the therapist's constructive and explicit use of her power and socio-cultural position was central to the progress of this client's therapy. Finally, we reflect on the broader questions around the theorizing of culture and gender within psychotherapy, including the available positions and representations of black therapists as well as black patients.