Electrodermal conditioning to stimuli of evolutionary significance: Failure to replicate the preparedness effect

In the present study, an attempt was made to replicate the preparedness effect reported by Öhman, Fredrickson, Hugdahl, & Rimmö (1976). Following Öhman et al. (1976) as closely as possible, a differential conditioning procedure was carried out in which subjects'skin conductance responses (SCRs) were conditioned either to stimuli of evolutionary significance (slides of snakes and spiders) or to evolutionally neutral stimuli (slides of mushrooms and flowers). The experiment consisted of 8 habituation, 12 acquisition, and 20 extinction trials. Electric shock served as an unconditioned stimulus during the acquisition phase. Although SCRs showed significant decreases during habituation and were significantly influenced by the conditioning procedure during acquisition, they were not found to extinguish significantly more slowly in the group that saw slides of snakes and spiders. This result contradicts the earlier results reported by Öman and colleagues. Possible explanations for this failure to replicate their results are discussed.     

Rasch's model for reading speed with manifest explanatory variables

In educational and psychological measurement we find the distinction between speed and power tests. Although most tests are partially speeded, the speed element is usually neglected. Here we consider a latent trait model developed by Rasch for the response time on a (set of) pure speed test(s), which is based on the assumption that the test response times are approximately gamma distributed, with known shape parameters and scale parameters depending on subject ability and test difficulty parameters. In our approach the subject parameters are treated as random variables having a common gamma distribution. From this, maximum marginal likelihood estimators are derived for the test difficulties and the parameters of the latent subject distribution. This basic model can be extended in a number of ways. Explanatory variables for the latent subject parameters and for the test parameters can be incorporated in the model. Our methods are illustrated by the analysis of a simulated and an empirical data set.     

The utility of the PND statistic: A reply to Allison and Gorman

Quantitative synthesis (“meta-analysis”) of single-subject research has rarely been conducted, partly because of a lack of agreement on how study outcomes are to be quantified. This article provides a response to Allison and German (Behaviour Research and Therapy, 31, 621–631, 1993), who listed some problematic characteristics of use of the PND (percent of non-overlapping data) statistic for computing single-subject study outcomes, and recommended a regression-based solution to computation of effect sizes from single-subject research reports. Although Allison and Gorman are generally accurate in pointing out some limitations of the use of the PND statistic, they have been less thorough in identifying its relative strengths. Among these strengths is the fact that the PND statistic and its variations (a) have been shown to be strongly related to qualitative, “expert” ratings, (b) have been successfully employed in at least seven separate integrative reviews, and (c) have produced results which are complementary to more qualitative reviews of the same literature. In contrast, Allison and Gorman did not report results of applications of their procedure and, although their procedure has apparent theoretical support, it may be less useful in synthesizing existing single-subject literature.     

Counselors' Conceptualizations of Caring in the Counseling Relationship

Caring is a concept that has been studied in numerous helping professions but has yet to be researched from a counseling perspective. In this qualitative research study, 13 master's‐level counseling interns were interviewed to better understand their perceptions of caring in the counseling relationship. Results suggest that these interns perceive that supporting desired outcomes, a personal capacity for caring, maintaining therapeutic conditions, mutuality in the counseling relationship, and a dynamic flow of communication are important attributes of the counseling relationship when caring is present The findings suggest further research that explores the concept of caring in the counseling relationship may be warranted.     

Implementation of DBT-Informed Therapy at a Rural University Training Clinic: A Case Study

University training clinics offer state-of-the-art treatment opportunities for clients, particularly for underserved and underinsured client populations. Little has been published regarding the implementation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in settings such as a university training clinic, which may face challenges in utilizing such a comprehensive treatment. This single-case study describes the application of a DBT-informed treatment with a female BPD client, highlighting how the modifications made can ease implementation in a rural university training clinic. Data collected from DBT diary cards document minimal time demands required for the use of between session-coaching, along with clinically meaningful changes in suicidality and misery ratings, and effective DBT skill use. A discussion of the unique components and contributions of this case to informing potential DBT modifications within university clinics are presented.     

Ally confrontations as identity-safety cues for marginalized individuals

Three studies and an integrative data analysis (N = 1,017) demonstrated that confrontations (speaking up against a stereotypical or prejudiced statement), when affirmed by bystanders, serve as an effective safety cue for targets of bias. In Studies 1 and 2, Chinese-American and White women witnessed anti-Asian and sexist remarks, respectively. Results revealed that a lone confronter (i.e., a confronter not affirmed by others) was unable to boost identity-safety (e.g., belonging, safety) compared to when the bias was not confronted, regardless of confronter identity (i.e., ally vs. ingroup confronter). Study 2 demonstrated that other people in the interaction group (i.e., bystanders) must affirm the confrontation for it to serve as an effective safety cue. Study 3 replicated and extended these results among White women for confrontation of sexism and Black women for confrontation of racism. Overall, these studies suggest that confrontations, when affirmed, can serve as a safety cue.     

Surrogacy and the Construction of the Maternal-Foetal Relationship: The Feminist Dilemma Examined

The feminist movement remains fundamentally divided over the issue of surrogacy. Within the confines of this article it is argued that the inadequacy of positions on both sides of the debate rests upon their common tendency to deal with the ethical consequences of surrogacy for isolated agents, without sufficient concern for the broader social implications for all pregnant women in society. In order to clarify the issues involved, feminist theorists must consider the implications of surrogacy in a broader social spectrum. Such an analysis will illustrate that the two-person dichotomous model of the maternal-foetal relationship proposed by the surrogacy arrangement has hugely prejudicial effects on the treatment received by non-contract mothers when they interact with agents of certain social institutions whose prior contact with surrogate mothers has made them more susceptible to conceiving the maternal-foetal relationship as fundamentally disconnected. In a climate of increased medical surveillance and intervention in the non-clinical context of pregnancy, the dangers of adopting this dichotomous model are palpable. Given the oppressive physical and psychological effect that this would have upon the liberty of the majority of pregnant women in society, this article argues that the feminist movement must abandon any promotion of the abstracted model of the mother-foetus relationship that is implicit in its arguments in favour of surrogacy.     

Computerized Neurocognitive Testing in the Management of Sport-Related Concussion: An Update

Since the late nineties, computerized neurocognitive testing has become a central component of sport-related concussion (SRC) management at all levels of sport. In 2005, a review of the available evidence on the psychometric properties of four computerized neuropsychological test batteries concluded that the tests did not possess the necessary criteria to warrant clinical application. Since the publication of that review, several more computerized neurocognitive tests have entered the market place. The purpose of this review is to summarize the body of published studies on psychometric properties and clinical utility of computerized neurocognitive tests available for use in the assessment of SRC. A review of the literature from 2005 to 2013 was conducted to gather evidence of test-retest reliability and clinical validity of these instruments. Reviewed articles included both prospective and retrospective studies of primarily sport-based adult and pediatric samples. Summaries are provided regarding the available evidence of reliability and validity for the most commonly used computerized neurocognitive tests in sports settings.     

Changing one's prejudiced ways: Awareness,affect, and self-regulation

In this chapter, we review and integrate efforts related to the internal conflict people experience over their often automatic prejudiced tendencies. We first describe the Should-Would Discrepancy questionnaire, which assesses people's awareness of responding with greater prejudice than their standards prescribe. Results from numerous studies showing awareness of prejudice-related discrepancies and examining validity issues are summarised. Studies examining the affective consequences of discrepant responses are then reviewed. The development and testing of a model concerning the self-regulation of prejudiced responses are described. The model explains how people establish cues for control, which facilitate the inhibition of prejudiced responses. Finally, acknowledging that people sometimes fail to self-regulate their prejudiced responses, we review recent investigations concerning the effects of confrontation by others on the subsequent control of prejudiced responses.