Experimental components analysis of brief theory-based HIV/AIDS risk-reduction counseling for sexually transmitted infection patients.

An experimental components analysis of brief HIV risk-reduction counseling based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model was conducted with 432 men and 193 women receiving sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic services. Following baseline assessments, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 90-min risk-reduction counseling sessions that deconstructed the IMB model within a full factorial design. Participants were followed for 9 months, with STI diagnoses monitored over 12 months. Men who received the full IMB session evidenced relatively greater use of risk-reduction behavioral skills and relatively lower rates of unprotected intercourse over 6-months follow-up and had fewer new STIs. For women, however, the motivational counseling demonstrated the most positive outcomes. Results suggest that brief single-exposure HIV prevention counseling can reduce HIV transmission risks.     

The instrumental overshadowing effect in pigeons: The role of response bursts

Experiment 1 showed that, when reinforcement is delayed by 0.5 sec for pigeons responding on a variable interval schedule, bursts of responses tend to occur during the delay interval. Such bursts are not seen when a signal (illumination of the houselight) fills the delay interval. The higher overall response rate seen with the unsignalled procedure may, therefore, be a consequence of the differential reinforcement of response bursts. Experiment 2 found, however, that the difference between the signalled and unsignalled conditions remained when the signal used was one that was relatively ineffective in suppressing bursts. Experiment 3 found that in some conditions the unsignalled procedure will generate a higher response rate than the signalled procedure even when there is no delay of reinforcement and thus little opportunity for differential reinforcement of response bursts. It is argued that, in addition to any contribution from the differential reinforcement of bursts, these effects also reflect the overshadowing of a response—reinforcer association by the signal that is a more valid predictor of the reinforcer.     

The Transformational Efficacy of Postgraduate Courses

Abstract

Considerable literature exists pertaining to transformative education and academics seek to provide a transformative educational experience for students. The purpose of this research was to examine the perceptions of graduates from postgraduate teacher education courses concerning transformative efficacy with regard to the stated outcomes of the courses. The participants were Christian teachers and school principals from Christian schools across Australia who had graduated from accredited Master of Education or Master of Education (Leadership) courses. Data collection was by way of an online survey containing Likert scales and explanatory statements. The research found that most of the graduates identified transformation at a personal level, particularly in the theological and philosophical understandings that underpin classroom or school leadership practice in Christian schools. This enabled them to be able to critique the cultural artifacts with which educators must deal in their practice.     

Stimulus exposure and discrimination in rats: A test of a theory for the role of contextual factors

In two experiments rats were trained on a simultaneous discrimination in a jumping stand. On each trial choice always lay between one stimulus (an obliquely striped object in Experiment I, and a plain grey object in Experiment II) and a second that varied from trial to trial. On half the trials this variable stimulus bore horizontal stripes (H) and on the remaining trials it bore vertical stripes (V). It was argued that the solution of this discrimination would be hindered if the animals tended to classify H and V apart (Bateson and Chantrey, 1972). It was found, however, that prior exposure to H and V in the home cage (which has been supposed to promote classifying apart) facilitated learning and that prior exposure to H and V in the apparatus itself (which might be thought to promote classifying together) hindered later learning. Possible alternative accounts for these exposure learning effects are discussed.     

Biases and their impact on opinions of transgender bathroom usage

The relationship between personality traits and biased assimilation, evaluating arguments, and persuasive messages more favorably if supporting pre-existing attitudes, lacks adequate research. Research suggests that higher narcissistic traits are associated with biased reactions. Additionally, research suggests that people with greater scientific reasoning abilities have more biased reactions to information that challenges their attitude, as they more easily locate flaws on topics that oppose their beliefs. Participants (N = 260) completed measures to identify their views on trans bathroom use, as well as other personality and attitude measures. They were randomly assigned to read one of the two articles using fake scientific data that either supported trans people using a bathroom reflecting their gender identity or that they should use a bathroom matching their sex-assigned at birth. Participants rated the quality of the article significantly higher when their opinion on bathroom use was congruent with the article than when it was incongruent. We used regression analyses with participants' perceptions of the quality of the article as the outcome variable and scientific reasoning scores, narcissism personality index scores, open-mindedness scores as predictor variables. In the mismatch group, the higher the scores on scientific reasoning, the lower the ratings of the quality of the opinion incongruent article. In the match group, the higher the scores on open-mindedness, the lower the ratings of the quality of the opinion congruent article. This research suggests that bias reduction is necessary to function in a world where scientific facts are called into question on a consistent basis.