An Evaluation of the Relative Effectiveness of Function-Based Consequent and Antecedent Interventions in a Preschool Setting

Although there is substantial functional behavioral assessment (FBA) literature suggesting that function-based interventions are effective for improving problem behavior, only a limited number of studies have examined the effectiveness of function-based antecedent versus consequent interventions. Additionally, although there has been a recent increase in the number of studies conducted in the K–12 school setting, only a limited number of studies have included children in the preschool setting. The present study extends existing literature by examining the effectiveness of function-based antecedent versus consequent interventions for reducing problem behavior and increasing appropriately engaged behavior for preschool children without cognitive disabilities. Following an FBA of 4 children, the effectiveness of a function-based antecedent (i.e., noncontingent reinforcement [NCR]) was compared with a function-based consequent (i.e., differential reinforcement of alternative behavior [DRA]) intervention using an alternating treatments design. Results indicated that both function-based NCR and DRA were effective for decreasing problem behavior and increasing appropriately engaged behavior, with function-based NCR being more effective than DRA for 2 of 4 participants.     

The relationship between conformity to gender norms,sexual orientation,and gender identity for sexual minorities

The current study examined how dimensions of masculinity and femininity were expressed for sexual minorities. Cluster analysis was used to determine the number of latent classes for conformity to masculine and feminine norms for sexual minorities. A four-class solution was the best fit to the data. Cluster 1 (labeled Relating to others through equality and caring, n = 41) was characterized by low dominance and power over women and high involvement with kids and have nice relationships norms. Cluster 2 (labeled Relating to others through avoidance and misogyny, n = 38) was characterized by low risk-taking and have nice relationships and high power over women and disdain for homosexuality. Cluster 3 (labeled Relating to others through power, n = 34) was characterized by high winning, pursuit of status, and appearance and low modesty. Cluster 4 (labeled Relating to others through sex, n = 27) was characterized by low involvement in romantic relationships and sexual fidelity while endorsing high playboy attitudes. Results indicate that conforming to gender norms tends to follow categories of interpersonal beliefs and behaviors rather than being based in gender identity or sexual orientation. Implications of the results for future research and clinical practice are examined.     

From ultrafast to slow: Heating rate dependence of the glass transition temperature in metallic systems

When a solid crosses the glass transition, viscous flow sets in and the glass transforms into a supercooled liquid. The glass transition temperature exhibits a heating rate dependence which was previously observed to follow a Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) equation. Here we report on a change in the heating rate dependence of the glass transition, determined by the distinct increase in the specific heat capacity, of a metallic glass. We combine standard techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry with recently developed ohmic heating techniques in order to cover seven orders of magnitude in heating rate. Contrary to previous reports, our results show that the change of the glass transition temperature cannot be described by a single VFT equation. Instead we find two distinct regimes which independently follow a VFT expression.     

Kant and the Problem of Recognition: Freedom,Transcendental Idealism,and the Third-Person

Kant wants to show that freedom is possible in the face of natural necessity. Transcendental idealism is his solution, which locates freedom outside of nature. I accept that this makes freedom possible, but object that it precludes the recognition of other rational agents. In making this case, I trace some of the history of Kant’s thoughts on freedom. In several of his earlier works, he argues that we are aware of our own activity. He later abandons this approach, as he worries that any awareness of our activity involves access to the noumenal, and thereby conflicts with the epistemic limits of transcendental idealism. In its place, from the second Critique onwards, Kant argues that we are conscious of the moral law, which tells me that I ought to do something, thus revealing that I can. This is the only proof of freedom consistent with transcendental idealism, but I argue that such an exclusively first-personal approach precludes the (third-personal) recognition of other rational agents. I conclude that transcendental idealism thus fails to provide an adequate account of freedom. In its place, I sketch an alternative picture of how freedom is possible, one that locates freedom within, rather than outside of nature.     

Work engagement in the mining industry in South Africa: The role of tasks and relationships

The platinum mining sector in South Africa presents a significant context for the study of work engagement, given the major changes and turmoil experienced by employees in this sector. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of task and relational factors on work engagement in the platinum mining industry in South Africa. A stratified random sample (N = 564) comprising employees in a platinum mining organisation in South Africa was surveyed (females = 35.1%, blacks = 51.6%, middle managers = 40.8%). The employees completed a biographical questionnaire and several other measures: the Engagement Scale, Supervisory Support Scale, Social Support Scale and Job Diagnostic Survey. The results supported a reliable three-factor structure (consisting of autonomy support, competence support, and relatedness support) for the Supervisory Support Scale. The structural model confirmed that task characteristics (comprising task significance and task identity) were strongly related to work engagement. Supervisor support and co-worker support showed a positive relationship with work engagement, albeit to a lesser extent.     

Becoming a Male Client of Compensated Dating

This study explores men’s experiences in compensated dating (CD), particularly their process of becoming a client of CD in Hong Kong. By drawing on 30 individual interviews with male clients, cyber-ethnography of a major CD on-line forum, informal conversations with CD participants, off-line participant observations, and the sparse literature available on this under-examined social phenomenon, we also analyze men’s subjective understandings of being a client, of CD providers, and of CD itself, which influence men’s CD experiences and condom use behavior. Finally, this study sheds light on the contemporary issues of masculinity and sexuality in Hong Kong.     

Affective expressions in groups and inferences about members' relational well-being: The effects of socially engaging and disengaging emotions

Our findings draw attention to the interpersonal communication function of a relatively unexplored dimension of emotions—the level of social engagement versus disengagement. In four experiments, regardless of valence and target group gender, observers infer greater relational well-being (more cohesiveness and less conflict) between group members from socially engaging (sadness and appreciation) versus disengaging (anger and pride) emotion expressions. Supporting our argument that social (dis)engagement is a critical dimension communicated by these emotions, we demonstrate (1) that inferences about group members' self-interest mediate the effect of socially engaging emotions on cohesiveness and (2) that the influence of socially disengaging emotion expressions on inferences of conflict is attenuated when groups have collectivistic norms (i.e., members value a high level of social engagement). Furthermore, we show an important downstream consequence of these inferences of relational well-being: Groups that seem less cohesive because of their members' proud (versus appreciative) expressions are also expected to have worse task performance.     

Assessing team performance: Moderating roles of transactive memory,hypercompetition, and emotional regulation

This study proposes a model based on transactive memory theory to analyze team performance. In the proposed model, team performance is influenced by hypercompetition and emotional regulation directly and indirectly via the mediation of transactive memory and knowledge sharing. According to the model, the direct effect of knowledge sharing on team performance is moderated by both hypercompetition and emotional regulation. Empirical testing of this model, using team personnel in banking, insurance, and financing firms, confirmed the applicability of the transactive memory theory among these service firms’ work teams. Managerial implications and research limitations are discussed.     

Suicide acceptability is related to suicide planning in U.S. adolescents and young adults

The association between adolescents' and young adults' attitudes toward suicide and their own suicidality across five racial-ethnic classifications was studied in a nationally representative sample of 3,301 youth ages 14 to 22 years from the National Annenberg Risk Survey of Youth. Results indicate that adolescents and young adults who most strongly believe that it is acceptable to end one's life are more than fourteen times more likely to make a plan to kill themselves as those who do not have such beliefs (p < .001). Future behavioral prevention and intervention research should take into consideration adolescents' and young adults' approval of suicide as a risk factor for taking their own lives.     

Effects of D-cycloserine on extinction of learned fear to an olfactory cue

D-cycloserine (DCS), a partial NMDA receptor agonist, facilitates extinction of learned fear in rats and has been used to treat anxiety disorders in clinical populations. However, research into the effects of DCS on extinction is still in its infancy, with visual cues being the primary fear-eliciting stimuli under investigation. In both human and animal subjects odors have been found to associate strongly with aversive events. Therefore, this study examined the generality of the effects of DCS on extinction by testing odor cues. Sprague-Dawley rats were conditioned and extinguished to an odor using varying parameters, injected with either saline or DCS (15 mg/kg) following extinction, and then tested for a freezing response 24 h later. Experiment 1 demonstrated that after 3 odor-shock pairings, rats did not display short-term extinction and DCS had no effect on long-term extinction. Experiment 2 demonstrated that after 3 odor-noise pairings, rats displayed significant short-term extinction and DCS significantly facilitated long-term extinction. Following 2 odor-shock pairings in Experiment 3, half the rats displayed short-term extinction ("extinguishers") and half did not ("non-extinguishers"). DCS facilitated long-term extinction in the "extinguishers" condition but not in the "non-extinguishers" condition. In Experiment 4, following 2 odor-shock pairings and an extra extinction session, DCS had a significant facilitatory effect on long-term extinction. Thus, extinction of freezing to an odor cue was facilitated by systemic injections of DCS, but only when some amount of within-session extinction occurred prior to injection.