Error‐monitoring in response to social stimuli in individuals with higher‐functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

Error‐monitoring, or the ability to recognize one's mistakes and implement behavioral changes to prevent further mistakes, may be impaired in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children and adolescents (ages 9–19) with ASD (n = 42) and typical development (n = 42) completed two face processing tasks that required discrimination of either the gender or affect of standardized face stimuli. Post‐error slowing and the difference in Error‐Related Negativity amplitude between correct and incorrect responses (ERN_diff) were used to index error‐monitoring ability. Overall, ERN_diff increased with age. On the Gender Task, individuals with ASD had a smaller ERN_diff than individuals with typical development; however, on the Affect Task, there were no significant diagnostic group differences on ERN_diff. Individuals with ASD may have ERN amplitudes similar to those observed in individuals with typical development in more social contexts compared to less social contexts due to greater consequences for errors, more effortful processing, and/or reduced processing efficiency in these contexts. Across all participants, more post‐error slowing on the Affect Task was associated with better social cognitive skills.     

Trait Extraversion and Dopamine Function

An influential theory within personality neuroscience suggests that trait extraversion is underpinned by individual differences in dopamine function. In a review of the relevant literature, we evaluate this theory in light of the evidence from molecular genetics, neuroimaging, and psychopharmacology. Evidence linking individual differences in extraversion with dopamine‐relevant genes, structural volume of dopamine‐rich brain regions (e.g., in striatal and ventral prefrontal areas), dopamine receptor availability, and frontal alpha asymmetry is mixed at best. Evidence concerning both scalp recorded (electroencephalogram) and hemodynamic (functional magnetic resonance imaging) neural responses to rewards appears somewhat more promising. Perhaps the best evidence concerns extraversion‐dependent responses – both neural and behavioural – to dopaminergic drugs. Future research in this area must go beyond the demonstration of theoretically consistent associations and attempt to provide more specific causal evidence for the dopamine hypothesis of extraversion. A further challenge is to expand this hypothesis to incorporate other neurobiological processes that are likely to underlie this trait.     

Using risk model judgements to better understand perceptions of synergistic risks

Numerous scientific studies show that risk factors can interact to synergistically increase the likelihood of certain adverse and life‐threatening outcomes. Yet, the extent to which individuals know that specific risk factor combinations present ‘synergistic risks’ is unclear and little is known about the determinants of such knowledge. This is largely because epistemological progress concerning this topic has been frustrated by a reliance on metrics that have latterly been judged to be of questionable validity. To address this issue, this paper presents two studies that assess an alternative approach (i.e., risk model judgements) which requires respondents to judge the risk for a factor combination relative to, rather than in isolation from, the risk attributable to each constituent factor. Results from both studies indicate that risk model judgements overcome the drawbacks of traditional metrics. More importantly, the results provide epistemological insights into what can determine whether an individual understands that a factor combination presents a synergistic risk; these determinants include experiential and intuitive insights into the effects of combining specific risk factors, domain‐specific judgemental experience and exposure to effective learning opportunities. These findings can be utilized in interventions aimed at helping individuals to make better decisions concerning multiple risk factors.     

Religio‐Spiritual Participation in Two American Indian Populations

Following a previous investigation of religio‐spiritual beliefs in American Indians, this article examined prevalence and correlates of religio‐spiritual participation in two tribes in the Southwest and Northern Plains (N = 3,084). Analysis suggested a “religious profile” characterized by strong participation across three traditions: aboriginal, Christian, and Native American Church. However, sociodemographic variables that have reliably predicted participation in the general American population, notably gender and age, frequently failed to achieve significance in multivariate analyses for each tradition. Religio‐spiritual participation was strongly and significantly related to belief salience for all traditions. Findings suggest that correlates of religious participation may be unique among American Indians, consistent with their distinctive religious profile. Results promise to inform researchers’ efforts to understand and theorize about religio‐spiritual behavior. They also provide tribal communities with practical information that might assist them in harnessing social networks to confront collective challenges through community‐based participatory research collaborations.     

When actions speak volumes: The role of inferences about moral character in outrage over racial bigotry

Inferences about moral character may often drive outrage over symbolic acts of racial bigotry. Study 1 demonstrates a theoretically predicted dissociation between moral evaluations of an act and the person who carries out the act. Although Americans regarded the private use of a racial slur as a less blameworthy act than physical assault, use of a slur was perceived as a clearer indicator of poor moral character. Study 2 highlights the dynamic interplay between moral judgments of acts and persons, demonstrating that first making person judgments can bias subsequent act judgments. Privately defacing a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. led to greater moral condemnation of the agent than of the act itself only when the behavior was evaluated first. When Americans first made character judgments, symbolically defacing a picture of the civil rights leader was significantly more likely to be perceived as an immoral act. These studies support a person‐centered account of outrage over bigotry and demonstrate that moral evaluations of acts and persons converge and diverge under theoretically meaningful circumstances. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of salespeople's acquisition–retention trade-off on performance

This research examines the impact of the acquisition–retention resource allocation at the individual salesperson level – that is, the proportion of their time dedicated to acquisition versus retention activities – on their sales performance. We extend prior research that investigates the acquisition–retention trade-off below (i.e., customer value approach) or above (i.e., firm portfolio approach) the salesperson's perspective by also incorporating many ‘within-firm’ factors that are critical to capturing the contingent nature of the allocation decision. The results suggest that firms can double their sales gains by implementing a trade-off strategy that customizes the acquisition allocation at the salesperson level. Using matched triadic data gathered from 227 salespersons, 106 supervisors and the seller's database, the authors find an inverted U-shaped linkage between the proportion of time allocated to acquisition activities and sales performance. Moderation analyses show that salespeople's optimal acquisition allocation depends on their knowledge breadth and job commitment, their supervisor's experience and job commitment and the quantity and quality of the prospects in their relationship portfolio.