The effect of construal level on risk‐taking

In a series of studies, we examined the influence of people's mind‐set (construal level (CL): abstract versus concrete) on their risk‐taking behavior. We measured differences in CL (study 1, CL as trait) and manipulated CL (studies 1–5, CL as state) with different priming methods, which were unrelated to the dependent variable of risk‐taking behavior (studies 1, 3, 4, and 5: Balloon Analog Risk Task; study 2: Angling Risk Task). In all studies, abstract CL resulted in greater risk‐taking compared with concrete CL, which led to lower risk‐taking. Risky and safe game strategies mediated the CL effect on risk‐taking. A concrete mind‐set increased the safe game strategy, whereas an abstract mind‐set increased the risky game strategy. Furthermore, different potential mediators were explored (i.e., focus on payoffs and probabilities, prevention versus promotion focus, attention to pros versus cons, and mood). A concrete mind‐set increased prevention strategies and a negative mood when compared with an abstract mind‐set. In turn, an abstract mind‐set increased attention to pros (of an action). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Obsessive-compulsive disorder patients display enhanced latent inhibition on a visual search task

Latent inhibition (LI) is a phenomenon that reflects the ability to ignore irrelevant stimuli. LI is attenuated in some schizophrenic patient groups and in high schizotypal normal participants. One study has found enhanced LI in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD [Swerdlow, N. R., Hartston, H. J., & Hartman, P. L., 1999. Enhanced visual latent inhibition in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 45, 482-488]). The present experiment replicated this finding using a within-subject visual search LI task, with OCD patients displaying more LI than healthy controls. The contrasting LI effects in schizophrenia and OCD are discussed in terms of how these groups differentially process relevant and irrelevant stimuli, and how that outcome affects subsequent behavior.     

The measurement of core affect: a Swedish self-report measure derived from the affect circumplex

Three studies were conducted with the aim of developing a new Swedish self-report measure of core affect (the Swedish Core Affect Scale or SCAS). In Study 1,122 participants rated their current mood on 24 unipolar adjective scales. A revised set of 12 bipolar adjective scales was evaluated in Study 2 employing 96 participants who rated their current mood before and after a mood-inducing naturally occurring event. A slightly revised set of adjective scales was used in Study 3, in which another 96 participants rated several induced moods. The results showed that the adjective scale ratings could be aggregated as reliable measures of the independent valence and activation dimensions proposed in the affect circumplex, and that the aggregated measures discriminated mood differences within and between individuals.     

The current role of neurosyphilis in the differential diagnosis of neuropsychiatric diseases

Over a period of eight years, 16 patients from a non-selected number of patients in a neuropsychiatric special hospital were diagnosed to suffer from neurolues not known so far. Apart from the classical clinical pictures (PP and T. d.) meningovascular courses of disease with apoplectiform onset have been dominant since 1980. The patients concerned were nearly exclusively younger male adolescents. The decline in the classical development of neurolues in favour of meningovascular and atypical clinical pictures makes clinical diagnosis more difficult and requires routine application of standardized specific and serological tests in clinical practice.     

The status of legally committed psychiatric patients in the psychiatric hospital

101 mental patients hospitalized according to a court decision stayed on average for 9.7 years. General behaviour, social independence and chances for discharge were not related to illness but to the duration of accommodation. The chances for discharge decrease as the stay in hospital increases. The initial medical reasons for hospitalization are the less important factor in the period of in-patient treatment. The foundations for successful medical and social rehabilitation can only be laid in the early stage of accommodation.     

Whipple disease of the CNS

By the example of two cases that could only be cleared up by a postmortem examination the affection of the central nervous system by Whipple's disease is dealt with. The granulomatous inflammatory process which is almost exclusively localised in the grisea and shows a particular concentration in the diencephalon, in the cortex of the frontal, temporal and islet regions as well as in the deeper brain stem, had resulted in a variety of neurological-psychiatric symptoms, in most cases a systemic psychosyndrome, myoclonism and paresis of ocular movement. In both cases the diagnoses was verified by the electromicroscopic identification of the bacteria in the typical SPC cells.     

Epidemiologic study on the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

A computer-aided evaluation of those affected with multiple sclerosis (n = 90) with regard to the actually discussed hypothesis on the aetiology of this disease results in 10 significant signs. These signs in their majority support the combined hypothesis of a disturbed regulation of infection and immunity. Frequently, as early as in childhood and youth the upper airways are affected, and this is coupled with a severe course of the disease. The incidence also shows familially and territorially frequent occurrences.     

Does It Make You Happy Feeling This Way? A Core Affect Account of Preference for Current Mood

Two experiments were conducted to investigate whether and how preference for current mood is related to the valence and activation dimensions of core affect. In Study 1, 100 undergraduates rated valence and activation of their naturally occurring current mood and preference for this mood. In Study 2, another 90 undergraduates performed the same ratings for various induced moods. The results showed as expected that preference for current mood is related to both valence and activation. Whereas the relation to valence is direct, the relation to activation is invertedly U-shaped with a maximum that increases with valence.