An integrative review of process dissociation and related models in social cognition

This chapter reviews the use of formal dual process models in social psychology, with a focus on the process dissociation model and related multinomial models. The utility of the models is illustrated using studies of social and affective influences on memory, judgement and decision making, and social attitudes and stereotypes. We then compare and contrast the process dissociation model with other approaches, including implicit and explicit tests, signal detection theory, and multinomial models. Finally we show how several recently proposed multinomial models can be integrated into a single family of models, of which process dissociation is a specific instance. We describe how these process models can be used as both theoretical and measurement tools to answer questions about the role of automatic and controlled processes in social behaviour.     

Religious Orientation in Three Central European Environments: Quest,Intrinsic, and Extrinsic Dimensions

Research in religion and health has spurred new interest in measuring religiousness. Measurement efforts have focused on subjective facets of religiousness such as spirituality and beliefs, and less attention has been paid to congregate aspects, beyond the single item measuring attendance at services. We evaluate some new measures for religious experiences occurring during congregational worship services. Respondents (N = 576) were religiously diverse community-dwelling adults interviewed prior to cardiac surgery. Exploratory factor analysis of the new items with a pool of standard items yielded a readily interpretable solution, involving seven correlated but distinct factors and one index variable, with high levels of internal consistency. We describe religious affiliation and demographic differences in these measures. Attendance at religious services provides multifaceted physical, emotional, social, and spiritual experiences that may promote physical health through multiple pathways.     

Dual process theory and the context of choice: Comments on Dhar and Gorlin

Dhar and Gorlin show that default-interventionist dual-process theory differentially classifies several effects in the consumer choice literature and makes differential predictions across a variety of manipulations. One of the most startling differential classifications in their model is that it drives a wedge between the attraction and enhancement effects, because they arise from System 1 and System 2, respectively. System-2 bias effects explain why sometimes less complex organisms (nonhumans, human children) can display more normative behavior than human adults. Such a finding does not at all undermine the heuristics and biases research tradition, as is sometimes argued.     

Personality traits as moderators of the associations between deployment experiences and PTSD symptoms in OEF/OIF service members

Abstract

This investigation examined traits from the five-factor model of personality as moderators of the associations of combat and aftermath of battle experiences with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 214 National Guard/Reserve service members deployed to operations enduring and Iraqi freedom. Extraversion significantly moderated the associations of both combat experiences and aftermath of battle experiences with PTSD severity, with associations weakening as levels of extraversion increased. The relation between aftermath of battle experiences and PTSD was also moderated by the other four personality factors, with the relation being weaker at higher levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness, and lower levels of neuroticism. These results suggest that personality traits may impact individual responses to war trauma, particularly war-related experiences that are not directly threatening to one's safety (i.e., aftermath of battle events vs. actual combat events). Although this investigation was cross-sectional, these findings indicate that personality traits are an important risk/resiliency factor to consider in people's responses to traumatic events.     

How to Develop Collaborative Empiricism in Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Conclusions From the C&BP Special Series

In this concluding commentary, we reflect on the component parts of the special series (see Kazantzis, Cronin, Dattilio, & K. S. Dobson, 2013--this issue, for the introductory article) in order to reconstitute the “whole” concept of collaborative empiricism in CBT. Each contribution of the special series clearly acknowledges that collaboration and empiricism are imperative for effective CBT, as well as to further elucidate these concepts in a range of central and timely therapeutic contexts. The articulation of the component elements of collaboration and empiricism is discussed as an important contribution, and one that assists in distinguishing central features and clarifying differences between collaboration as defined in CBT. A second important theme of the special series is the further specification of the construct of empiricism as it relates to the practice of CBT. The special series provides clarification for the role of collaborative empiricism in therapeutic processes of case formulation, in-session structure, and self-monitoring to assist in assessment, as well as in the use of core techniques such as exposure, work for specific clinical groups such as psychosis, and adaption of the work in a manner that is respectful and responsive to the client’s culture, preferences, and abilities. Case examples illustrate the importance of relying on the client’s experience, rather than general principles or logic, and the use of the client’s experience both specifically and explicitly, and as a measure for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions.     

Cognitive Reorganization and the development of chess expertise

One current research strategy in the study of expertise is to compare experts and novices. An important aspect of decision making involves looking for similarities among problem types. Little is known about such processes. We used grid technique to examine similarity judgments associated with different levels of chess expertise. Novice, expert, and master chess players evaluated 4 sets of 12 chess boards. Average FIC scores showed a curvilinear relation to expertise, suggesting increasing differentiation followed by integration in cognitive frameworks for construing board positions. Additional cognitive measures based on move generation tended to support and extend this structural model.     

Structural constraints and object similarity in analogical mapping and inference

Theories of analogical reasoning have viewed relational structure as the dominant determinant of analogical mapping and inference, while assigning lesser importance to similarity between individual objects. An experiment is reported in which these two sources of constraints on analogy are placed in competition under conditions of high relational complexity. Results demonstrate equal importance for relational structure and object similarity, both in analogical mapping and in inference generation. The human data were successfully simulated using a computational analogy model (LISA) that treats both relational correspondences and object similarity as soft constraints that operate within a limited-capacity working memory; but not with a model (SME) that treats relational structure as pre-eminent.     

Pragmatic reasoning from multiple points of view: A response

Abstract

In our response we consider several broad sets of issues raised in the commentaries on our target article. We provide an elaboration of the general theory of pragmatic reasoning schemas and of the mechanisms posited to explain pespective effects and other contextual influences on reasoning. We consider the strengths and limitations of a number of alternative proposals offered by the commentators. Finally, we discuss possible links between pragmatic schemas and more elementary “building blocks” for human reasoning     

An Experimental Study of “affective conflict”

Factor analysis of acceptability ratings given to 10 contraceptive methods by 178 Ss (78 male, 100 female) identified four groupings: (a) coitusdependent—condom, diaphragm, and foam or jelly; (b) surgical—vasectomy and tubal ligation; (c) coitus-inhibiting—abstinence, rhythm, and withdrawal; and (d) coitus-independent—intrauterine device and pill. Factor scores were computed and correlated with variables from the Adjective Check List, California F Scale, California Psychological Inventory, College Vocabulary Test, Miller-Fisk Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire, and Rotter's locus-of-control scale. Although the yield of significant correlations was modest, several heuristic patterns of covariation with the personality and cognitive measures were noted.     

The Clergy Occupational Distress Index (CODI): Background and Findings from Two Samples of Clergy

This study demonstrates the reliability and validity of the Clergy Occupational Distress Index (CODI). The five-item index allows researchers to measure the frequency that clergy, who traditionally have not been the subject of occupational health studies, experience occupational distress. We assess the reliability and validity of the index using two samples of clergy: a nationally representative sample of clergy and a sample of clergy from nine Protestant denominations. Exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s scores are generated. Construct validity is measured by examining the association between CODI scores and depressive symptoms while controlling for demographic, ministerial, and health variables. In both samples, the five items of the CODI load onto a single factor and the Cronbach’s alpha scores are robust. The regression model indicates that a high score on the CODI (i.e., more frequent occupational distress) is positively associated with having depressive symptoms within the last 4 weeks. The CODI can be used to identify clergy who frequently experience occupational distress and to understand how occupational distress affects clergy’s health, ministerial career, and the functioning of their congregation.