Working memory capacity and self-regulatory behavior: toward an individual differences perspective on behavior determination by automatic versus controlled processes

In the present research, the authors investigated how individual differences in working memory capacity moderate the relative influence of automatic versus controlled precursors on self-regulatory behavior. In 2 studies, on sexual interest behavior (Study 1) and the consumption of tempting food (Study 2), automatic attitudes toward the temptation of interest had a stronger influence on behavior for individuals who scored low rather than high in working memory capacity. Analogous results emerged in Study 3 on anger expression in a provoking situation when a measure of the automatic personality trait of angriness was employed. Conversely, controlled dispositions such as explicit attitudes (Study 1) and self-regulatory goals (Studies 2 and 3) were more effective in guiding behavior for participants who scored high rather than low in working memory capacity. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of working memory capacity for everyday self-regulation and suggest an individual differences perspective on dual-process or dual-system theories of human behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved).     

Age-related changes in visual pseudoneglect

Pseudoneglect is a slight but consistent leftward attentional bias commonly observed in healthy young populations, purportedly explained by right hemispheric dominance. It has been suggested that normal aging might be associated with a decline of the right hemisphere. According to this hypothesis, a few studies have shown that elderly tend to exhibit a rightward attentional bias in line bisection. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis in young and older participants using a perceptual landmark task. Results yield evidence for an age-related shift, from a strong attentional leftward bias in young adults toward a suppressed or even a reversed bias in the elderly. Right hemisphere impairment coupled to a left hemispheric compensation might explain the perceptual shift observed in older adults. However, a decline in corpus callosum function cannot be excluded. Alternatively, these results may be in agreement with the hypothesis of an age-related specific inhibition of return dysfunction, an overt attentional orienting mechanism, and/or a decrease of dopamine.     

Gene–Environment Interaction of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism (rs53576) and Unresolved Attachment Status Predict Depersonalization Symptoms: An Exploratory Study

Depersonalization (DP), or feelings of detachment from one’s self or one’s surroundings (i.e., derealization, DR), is considered a maladaptive stress response, frequently occurring in anxiety disorders, depression or as a primary disorder. However, the pathogenesis of DP/DR symptoms is little understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the influence of unresolved attachment status and the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) rs53576 polymorphism on DP/DR symptoms. The study sample consisted of 84 women, including 43 depressed patients and 41 control subjects, aged 19–52. DP/DR symptoms were measured with the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale; unresolved attachment status was assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview. OXTR rs53576 genotypes were obtained from blood samples. We found a highly significant gene–environment interaction: Individuals with unresolved attachment status were significantly more depersonalized when they carried the GG-allele than A-allele carriers than not unresolved subjects. There was no statistically significant main influence of OXTR genotypes or unresolved attachment status on DP/DR symptoms. We suggest that the GG-allele and unresolved attachment status might be considered as risk factors in the etiology of DP/DR symptoms. Replication is needed in larger samples including male subjects.     

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