Positive overgeneralization and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) sensitivity interact to predict prospective increases in hypomanic symptoms: a behavioral high-risk design

Recent work has identified Behavioral Approach System (BAS) sensitivity as a risk factor for the first onset and recurrence of mood episodes in bipolar disorder, but little work has evaluated risk factors for the prospective development of hypomanic symptoms in individuals at risk for, but without a history of, bipolar disorder. The present study used a prospective behavioral high-risk design to evaluate the impact of positive overgeneralization, a cognitive correlate of risk for hypomania, on hypomanic symptoms in individuals with high vs. moderate BAS sensitivity, but without a history of mood elevation. Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that upward positive overgeneralization and BAS sensitivity interacted to predict increased levels of hypomanic symptoms at follow-up, controlling for initial hypomanic symptoms. The pattern of this interaction was such that positive overgeneralization predicted higher levels of hypomanic symptoms among high-BAS, but not moderate-BAS, individuals. Thus, the self-reported tendency to experience grandiose increases in confidence following success may confer additional risk for mood elevation among individuals already at risk for developing bipolar disorder. Potential implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.     

Evaluative conditioning may occur with and without contingency awareness

Evaluative conditioning (EC) is considered to play an important role in the attitude formation. One of the ongoing debates in this field concerns the impact of contingency awareness (i.e., awareness of the contingent relationship between conditioned and unconditioned stimulus, CS–US) on the EC occurrence. Despite the claims that EC does not require awareness of CS–US contingencies, the recent studies have claimed just the opposite. However, a number of methodological issues can be raised to undermine those claims. In two experiments, we tried to eliminate potential faults and sought to learn whether EC occurs with or without contingency awareness of either US identity or US valence. We report significant EC effects both with and without contingency awareness. These results provide support for the claim that the EC effects might be produced by independent mechanisms linked to awareness. We also argue that those mechanisms are differently captured by available measures of EC.     

Perceived Racism and Encouragement Among African American Adults

The effects of spirituality, racial socialization, and ethnic pride on encouragement in the face of racism among African American adults (N= 201) were investigated. The negative relationship between perceived racism and encouragement disappeared when spirituality, ethnic pride, and a racial socialization history were entered into the regression equation. Se investigaron los efectos de la espiritualidad, la socialización racial y el orgullo étnico sobre el ánimo para enfrentarse al racismo entre adultos Afroamericanos (N = 201). La relación negativa entre el racismo percibido y el ánimo desapareció cuando se introdujeron en la ecuación regresiva la espiritualidad, el orgullo étnico y una historia de socialización racial.     

False Memory Is in the Details: Photographic Details Differentially Predict Memory Formation

Although false memory formation is a well‐documented phenomenon, the strength and rates of false memory formation vary across studies. Research indicates that the types of details provided in suggestions differentially influence memory formation, with some details enhancing and others impeding memories. This study explored the facilitation of false memories using doctored photographs, by manipulating the presence of salient familiar and unfamiliar details within photographs. Over three interviews, 82 participants viewed four photographs allegedly provided by parents. One was a doctored photograph depicting a hot‐air balloon ride, in which the presence of salient self‐relevant and unfamiliar details was varied. Participants rated the strength of their memory and associated memory characteristics for the events. Including self‐relevant details without unfamiliar details resulted in the highest memory ratings and greater increases in memory characteristic ratings. Memories were weakest when both details were provided. The theoretical implications of the findings are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Absolutely independent axiomatizations for countable sets in classical logic

The notion of absolute independence, considered in this paper has a clear algebraic meaning and is a strengthening of the usual notion of logical independence. We prove that any consistent and countable set in classical prepositional logic has an absolutely independent axiornatization.     

Children by choice or by chance: The perceived effects of parity

In a study examining inferences made about couples based on their choice whether or not to have children, college undergraduates projected 1-year and 25-year life situations for a hypothetical couple who either (1) neither had nor wished to have children, (2) were presented without any reference to children, or (3) already had two children. This manipulation notwithstanding, most couples were projected as becoming parents. Female subjects saw having children as enhancing the quality of life of both partners, while males took the opposite view.     

An advocacy intervention program for women with abusive partners: Initial evaluation

Experimentally tested the hypotheses that (1) battered women are in need of numerous community resources upon exit from a domestic violence shelter, (2) working with advocates increases women's effectiveness in obtaining needed resources and social support, and (3) success in obtaining resources and social support increases women's levels of life satisfaction and decreases their risk of further abuse. The initial findings of a short-term intervention project designed to provide postshelter advocacy services to women with abusive partners are presented. One-hundred forty-one battered women were interviewed immediately upon their exit from a domestic violence shelter as well as 10 weeks thereafter. Half the sample was randomly assigned to receive the services of trained advocates who assisted them in accessing needed community resources. Women who worked with advocates reported being more effective in accessing resources and had higher levels of social support and overall quality of life postintervention. Although all women reported some decrease in postshelter abuse, there were no differences between those with and those without advocates, and abuse continued to be a problem for many women.     

Effect of sulpiride on amphetamine-induced activity and stereotyped locomotion

To investigate the hypothesis that sulpiride potentiates stereotyped locomotion at an intermediate dose of amphetamine, rats were assigned to one of four treatment groups (n=7 per group): vehicle + saline; 20 mg/kg sulpiride + saline; vehicle + 3.5mg/kg amphetamine; 20 mg/kg sulpiride + 3.5 mg/kg amphetamine. An automated tracking system was used to record distance moved and sequences of movements between quadrants in a circular open-field. The results showed that amphetamine increased horizontal distance moved, and increased the number and proportion of thigmotaxic trips around the perimeter of the apparatus. Sulpiride reduced amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and the number of perimeter trips, but had no effect on the proportion and maximum run length of perimeter trips. Thus sulpiride reduces the hyperactivity produced by an intermediate dose of amphetamine, but does not appear to affect the stereotyped nature of locomotion under the drug.     

Relating a Social Influence Model to the Role of Acculturation in Substance Use Among Latino Adolescents1

This study examined determinants of substance use derived from the theory of planned behavior as influenced by acculturation. Latino adolescents (n= 448) completed measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions toward substance use, and 2 acculturation components. The degree to which Latino adolescents were exposed to as well as use Spanish was unrelated to determinants of future substance use, whereas the degree to which they interact with non-Latino peers exerted a protective effect regarding future substance use. However, both acculturation components influenced the extent social influence determinants predicted future substance use. Intervention strategies may need to consider acculturation in order to effectively direct resources toward those psychosocial determinants of substance use of greatest relevance to Latino populations.