Mind over muscle? Sex differences in the relationship between body image change and subjective and objective physical changes following a 12-week strength-training program

This study examined sex differences in body image change and its correlates over the course of a 12-week strength-training program. Participants were 28 men and 16 women (M age = 21.6, SD = 2.4) who completed pre- and post-intervention measures of body image (Body Areas Satisfaction Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and Drive for Muscularity Scale) and subjective and objective assessments of body fat, muscularity, and strength. They participated in a 12-week, 5-day/week full-body progressive resistance training program. Significant body image improvements were found for both sexes (p < .05). Correlates of body image change varied somewhat between the sexes. For men, body image improvements were correlated only with subjective physical changes. For women, body image improvements were correlated with subjective physical changes as well as objective increases in strength. These results suggest that although men and women derive body image improvements from strength training, they may benefit for different reasons.     

Attachment in individuals with social anxiety disorder: the relationship among adult attachment styles,social anxiety,and depression

Despite their apparent implications for social functioning, adult attachment styles have never been specifically explored among persons with social anxiety disorder. In the current study, a cluster analysis of the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (N. L. Collins, 1996) revealed that 118 patients with social anxiety were best represented by anxious and secure attachment style clusters. Members of the anxious attachment cluster exhibited more severe social anxiety and avoidance, greater depression, greater impairment, and lower life satisfaction than members of the secure attachment cluster. This pattern was replicated in a separate sample of 56 patients and compared with the pattern found in 36 control participants. Social anxiety mediated the association between attachment insecurity and depression. Findings are discussed in the context of their relevance to the etiology, maintenance, and cognitive-behavioral treatment of social anxiety disorder.     

Paired comparisons with individual differences

A model of Bradley-Terry type for paired comparisons is considered. In addition to the usual parameters, the model allows for individual parameters and corresponding parameters for the choice-alternatives. The model is applied to a set of data from a Danish investigation of the attitude of blue collar workers towards alternative social gains. The proposed model is finally compared to a model recently suggested by Schönemann and Wang.     

The Influence of Family and Community Factors on Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity (EI) is influenced by many factors, but few studies have examined the relative contribution of parenting style and other factors to EI. We addressed this gap by examining the effects of family and community factors on the EI of ethnic minority students enrolled in graduate psychology programs in the United States. The results suggest that family, peers, and experiences of discrimination significantly influence EI. Familial cultural socialization was the strongest contributor to EI. La identidad étnica (EI, por sus siglas en inglés) recibe influencia de muchos factores, pero pocos estudios han examinado la contribución relativa del estilo parental y otros factores a la EI. Abordamos este vacío examinando los efectos de los factores de familia y comunidad en la EI de estudiantes de minorías étnicas matriculados en programas de psicología de posgrado en los Estados Unidos. Los resultados sugieren que la familia, los compañeros y las experiencias de discriminación influyen en la EI de forma significativa. La socialización cultural familiar fue el factor que ejerció la mayor influencia sobre la EI.     

Dismantling institutional racism: theory and action

Despite a strong commitment to promoting social change and liberation, there are few community psychology models for creating systems change to address oppression. Given how embedded racism is in institutions such as healthcare, a significant shift in the system's policies, practices, and procedures is required to address institutional racism and create organizational and institutional change. This paper describes a systemic intervention to address racial inequities in healthcare quality called dismantling racism. The dismantling racism approach assumes healthcare disparities are the result of the intersection of a complex system (healthcare) and a complex problem (racism). Thus, dismantling racism is a systemic and systematic intervention designed to illuminate where and how to intervene in a given healthcare system to address proximal and distal factors associated with healthcare disparities. This paper describes the theory behind dismantling racism, the elements of the intervention strategy, and the strengths and limitations of this systems change approach.     

A Comment on ‘Rank Disagreement: A Comparison of Multi-Criteria Methodologies’

In a recent paper in this journal, Buede and Maxwell found reasonable agreement between MAVT and conventional AHP most preferred alternatives in a large-scale simulation. We show that MAVT would have had total agreement on preferred alternatives with two modified forms of AHP, referenced AHP and linking pin AHP, under simulation. © 1997 John Wiley &#38; Sons, Ltd.     

Clustering,dependence and ratio scales in AHP: Rank reversals and incorrect priorities with a single criterion

In the analytic hierarchy process, it is often thought that rank reversals cannot occur in a single-criterion problem. This paper demonstrates that if it is necessary to cluster items under a single criterion, such reversals are possible. The reversals occur prior to aggregating across clusters and are caused by a failure to make reference to the alternatives when performing criteria comparisons. Rank reversals, however, are only a symptom of the problem. The real problem is a failure to calibrate global weights to a common scale which spans different clusters. Even in the absence of reversals, aggregated weights from the AHP's relative mode of measurement can fail to maintain composite ratio relationships.     

Intentional and Skillful Neurons

Abstract

In the mid-1990s, there was a major neuroscientific discovery which might drastically alter sport science in general and philosophy of sport in particular. The discovery of mirror neurons by Giacomo Rizzolatti and colleagues in Parma, Italy, is a substantial contribution to understanding brains, movements, and humans. Famous neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran believes the discovery of mirror neurons ‘will do for psychology what DNA did for biology’ (http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/ramachandran/ramachandran_p1.html). Somehow mirror neurons have not received the deserved attention in the philosophy of sport, but perhaps now is the time to reflect on some implications and consequences. The discovery of mirror neurons may increase our insights about our ability to learn, understand, intend, and produce skillful motor actions. In this article I will first examine what mirror neurons are and how they function in monkeys and humans. Second, I will review some objections to the so-called mirror neuron theory of action understanding, and try to reconcile some of these objections. Third, I will inquire into some implications for philosophy, which I believe are also fundamental to several topics in the philosophy of sport. I will then try to relate some of the most interesting aspects of mirror neurons to recent debates in the philosophy of sport. Finally, I will speculate on what further neuroscientific research might teach us about the nature of being a moving subject.     

Group size,group status and trait valence as determinants of intergroup bias: Stereotyping in Finland and Sweden

The effects of group size, group status and trait valence (positive or negative stereotypes of in‐ and outgroup) on intergroup bias was studied in nation‐wide probability samples of majority and minority groups in Finland and Sweden, (N = 2479). Ethnolinguistic vitality was used as a proxy for status. It is argued that the specific history of real‐life intergroup relations has to be duly acknowledged when predicting main and interactive effects on intergroup bias in natural contexts. Supporting the predictions made, numerical group size showed a stable main effect; members of numerical minorities showed more bias than members of numerical majorities, regardless of trait valence. While status had no main effect, there was a significant interaction between status and size as well as between status and trait valence: intergroup bias was highest in the high status minority, and low status groups showed less bias than high status groups on negatively valenced traits. In fact, minority members showed the reverse of PNAE. In addition, majority members favoured the outgroup on negatively valenced traits, but favoured their ingroup on positively valenced traits. Different explanations for these results are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.