Startle Inhibition to Positive-Activated Compared to Neutral Stimuli: Variations in Self-Reported Behavioral Approach

In contrast to the research on potentiation of startle during negative emotional states, limited research has focused on the influence of individual differences in reward sensitivity on inhibition of startle during positive-activated emotional states. The present study attempted to replicate and extend previous research by investigating the influence of behavioral approach system (BAS) on the inhibition of startle. Based on a pre-screening of 3,000 participants, 76 undergraduates were recruited for low, moderate, and high BAS groups. Participants viewed a series of positive-activated, neutral, and negative-activated pictures, and bilateral startle eyeblink magnitude was recorded. Inhibition of startle was demonstrated across the entire sample; however, these findings appeared to be driven by participants in the high BAS group. Further, the Group x Affect interaction only was demonstrated in one BAS subscale (BAS-Drive) and the total BAS scale, suggesting differences among the subtypes of BAS in the processing of affective materials.     

History of the United Church of Christ

Book reviewed:
The Living Theological Heritage of the United Church of Christ , Barbara Brown Zikmund (ed.), Pilgrim Press 1995–2005. Vols I–VII
Ancient and Medieval Legacies, Vol. I , Richard Ulrich (ed.), Pilgrim Press 1995 (0-8298-1064-1), 583 pp., $60.00
Reformation Roots, Vol. II , John Payne (ed.), Pilgrim Press 1997 (0-8298-1143-5), xii + 683 pp., $60.00
Colonial and National Beginnings, Vol. III , Charles Hambrick-Stowe (ed.), Pilgrim Press 1998 (0-8298-1113-3), x + 518 pp., $60.00
Consolidation and Expansion, Vol. IV , Elizabeth Nordbeck, Lowell Zuck (eds), Pilgrim Press 1999 (0-8298-1110-9), xvi + 668 pp., $60.00
Outreach and Diversity, Vol. V , Margaret Lamberts Bendroth, Lawrence Jones, Robert Schneider (eds), Pilgrim Press 2000 (0-8298-1111-7), xiv + 536 pp., $60.00
Growing Toward Unity, Vol. VI , Elsabeth Slaughter Hilke (ed.), Pilgrim Press 2001 (0-8298-1112-5), xvi + 744 pp., $70.00
United and Uniting, Vol. VII , Frederick Trost, Barbara Brown Zikmund (eds), Pilgrim Press 2005 (0-8298-1113-3), xx + 828 pp., $70.00     

Author Index Volume 7

Authors Index

Author Index Volume 7     

Thomas Luckmann on the Relation Between Phenomenology and Sociology: A Constructive Critical Assessment

Human Studies - In the present paper, I intend to systematically revisit Thomas Luckmann’s account of the relation between phenomenology and sociology and to assess its strengths and...     

Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire (LoPF-Q) 12–18 Turkish Version: Reliability,Validity, Factor Structure and Relationship with Comorbid Psychopathology in a Turkish Adolescent Sample

Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire (LoPF-Q 12–18) is a scale developed for adolescents to assess impairments in personality functioning inspired by criterion A in the Alternative Models for Personality Disorder (AMPD) in DSM-5 and the upcoming ICD-11. In this study, we aim to evaluate the validity and reliability of a Turkish culture-adaption of LoPF-Q 12–18. The study was conducted with a student (n?=?282) and a clinical sample (n?=?52), 41% of the participants were male, and 59% were female. The questionnaire showed good scale reliability alpha and a sound unidimensional factor structure build of four scales of functioning: Identity, Self-direction, Empathy, and Intimacy. Aspects of convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). There were medium to strong positive relationships between the LoPF-Q 12–18 and the SDQ scores reflecting pathology in line with theory. Clinical validity could be demonstrated, the LoPF-Q 12–18 total score differed significantly and with a large effect size of 1.2 standard deviations between the school sample and a sample of N?=?25 patients with diagnosed PD. In general, our results support the validity of the Turkish version of the LoPF-Q 12–18 and emphasize the benefits of using the dimensional severity concept for the classification of personality disorders already in adolescence.

     

Anchoring in a novel bimanual coordination pattern

Anchoring in cyclical movements has been defined as regions of reduced spatial or temporal variability [Beek, P. J. (1989). Juggling dynamics. PhD thesis. Amsterdam: Free University Press] that are typically found at movement reversal points. For in-phase and anti-phase movements, synchronizing reversal points with a metronome pulse has resulted in decreased anchor point variability and increased pattern stability [Byblow, W. D., Carson, R. G., & Goodman, D. (1994). Expressions of asymmetries and anchoring in bimanual coordination. Human Movement Science, 13, 3-28; Fink, P. W., Foo, P., Jirsa, V. K., & Kelso, J. A. S. (2000). Local and global stabilization of coordination by sensory information. Experimental Brain Research, 134, 9-20]. The present experiment examined anchoring during acquisition, retention, and transfer of a 90 degrees phase-offset continuous bimanual coordination pattern (whereby the right limb lags the left limb by one quarter cycle), involving horizontal flexion about the elbow. Three metronome synchronization strategies were imposed: participants either synchronized maximal flexion of the right arm (i.e., single metronome), both flexion and extension of the right arm (i.e., double metronome within-limb), or flexion of each arm (i.e., double metronome between-limb) to an auditory metronome. In contrast to simpler in-phase and anti-phase movements, synchronization of additional reversal points to the metronome did not reduce reversal point variability or increase pattern stability. Furthermore, practicing under different metronome synchronization strategies did not appear to have a significant effect on the rate of acquisition of the pattern.     

Freedom, Fiction and Evidential Decision Theory

This paper argues against evidential decision-theory, by showing that the newest responses to its biggest current problem – the medical Newcomb problems – don’t work. The latest approach is described, and the arguments of two main proponents of it – Huw Price and CR Hitchcock – clearly distinguished and examined. It is argued that since neither new defence is successful, causation remains essential to understanding means-end agency.     

Differences between elite,junior and non-rowers in kinematic and kinetic parameters during ergometer rowing

This paper presents an analysis of the rowing parameters of differently skilled rowers. The study focuses on technique dependency on stroke rate. Five elite, five junior and five non-rowers participated, and the biomechanics of rowing on an ergometer was analyzed at stroke rates of 20, 26 and 34 str/min. The results show that elite rowers use a similar, consistent rowing technique at all stroke rates, the technique of junior rowers follows similar principles, while the technique of non-rowers varies. Elite rowers’ stroke length, handle motion and body posture do not change with stroke rate while the ratio of stroke phases, maximum forces, stroke work and joint loadings are constant at the same stroke rate but dependent on stroke rate. Junior rowers with stroke rate change also the stroke length. In non-rowers the differences can be observed in the handle motion and body posture during the stroke, their stroke length changes with stroke rate while the ratio of stroke phases stays constant. Although different movement execution is evident and variable with stroke rate, non-rowers demonstrate a consistent pattern at the same stroke rate. On the basis of the results, the crucial parameters that differentiate elite, junior, and non-rowers are identified.     

Parental rearing behavior prospectively predicts adolescents’ risky decision‐making and feedback‐related electrical brain activity

The present study examined the role of parental rearing behavior in adolescents’ risky decision‐making and the brain's feedback processing mechanisms. Healthy adolescent participants (n = 110) completed the EMBU‐C, a self‐report questionnaire on perceived parental rearing behaviors between 2006 and 2008 (T1). Subsequently, after an average of 3.5 years, we assessed (a) risky decision‐making during performance of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART); (b) event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) elicited by positive (gain) and negative feedback (loss) during the BART; and (c) self‐reported substance use behavior (T2). Age‐corrected regression analyses showed that parental rejection at T1 accounted for a unique and significant proportion of the variance in risk‐taking during the BART; the more adolescents perceived their parents as rejecting, the more risky decisions were made. Higher levels of perceived emotional warmth predicted increased P300 amplitudes in response to positive feedback at T2. Moreover, these larger P300 amplitudes (gain) significantly predicted risky decision‐making during the BART. Parental rearing behaviors during childhood thus seem to be significant predictors of both behavioral and electrophysiological indices of risky decision‐making in adolescence several years later. This is in keeping with the notion that environmental factors such as parental rearing are important in explaining adolescents’ risk‐taking propensities.     

Risques psychosociaux au travail : le rôle modérateur des stratégies de coping

It is now a fact that health and well being at work are enhanced by organizational characteristics (Dupret, Bocéréan, Teherani, & Feltrin, 2012) and individual characteristics such as coping strategies used in a stressful situation (Truchot & Fisher, 2002). The purpose of this research is to study the interaction between organizational characteristics and coping strategies in the emergence of psychosocial risks factors. This study was conducted with 427 employees, as part of a psychosocial risk assessment. The analysis (Sobel tests and LISREL modelization) show the moderating influence between coping strategies and the organizational variables on occupational health and life quality.