Age-Group Differences in Interference from Young and Older Emotional Faces

Human attention is selective, focusing on some aspects of events at the expense of others. In particular, angry faces engage attention. Most studies have used pictures of young faces, even when comparing young and older age groups. Two experiments asked (1) whether task-irrelevant faces of young and older individuals with happy, angry, and neutral expressions disrupt performance on a face-unrelated task, (2) whether interference varies for faces of different ages and different facial expressions, and (3) whether young and older adults differ in this regard. Participants gave speeded responses on a number task while irrelevant faces appeared in the background. Both age groups were more distracted by own than other-age faces. In addition, young participants' responses were slower for angry than happy faces, whereas older participants' responses were slower for happy than angry faces. Factors underlying age-group differences in interference from emotional faces of different ages are discussed.     

Between a ROC and a hard place: a method for linking serial burglaries by modus operandi

The purpose of this study is to determine if readily available information about commercial and residential serial burglaries, in the form of the offender's modus operandi, provides a statistically significant basis for accurately linking crimes committed by the same offender. Logistic regression analysis is applied to examine the degree to which various linking features can be used to discriminate between linked and unlinked burglaries. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is then performed to calibrate the validity of these features and to identify optimal decision thresholds for linking purposes. Contrary to crime scene behaviours traditionally examined to link serial burglaries, the distance between crime site locations demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness as a linking feature for both commercial and residential burglaries. Specifically, shorter distances between crimes signalled an increased likelihood that burglaries were linked. Thus, these results indicate that, if one examines suitable behavioural domains, high levels of stability and distinctiveness exist in the actions of serial burglars, and these actions can be used to accurately link crimes committed by the same offender. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Reinforcement Account of Altruism

The Psychological Record - The foundation of modern behavior science is the selection of behavior by its consequences. So, behavior that benefits an organism should be maintained (through...     

CORRELATES OF RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION IN LESBIAN COUPLES

This study broadens the construct of intimate relationships to include the experience of lesbian couples. Various psychological variables were assessed in both partners of 275 lesbian couples who considered themselves to be dual career. Because of the paucity of information on lesbian relationships in the literature, considerable attention is first given to describing this sizable sample. Individual and couple scores on each variable were correlated with relationship satisfaction scores. Among individuals, role conflict and personal autonomy were found to correlate negatively with relationship satisfaction, whereas dyadic attachment, power, intimacy, self-esteem, and life satisfaction were all positively correlated with relationship Satisfaction. Although career commitment was not correlated with relationship satisfaction among individuals, differences between partners'levels of career commitment correlated negatively with each partner's relationship satisfaction. The findings counter extant stereotypes regarding lesbian relationships and provide a more accurate basis for developing an heuristic model of intimate relationships among women.     

Cognitive Behavioral Science behind the Value of Play: Leveraging Everyday Experiences to Promote Play,Learning, and Positive Interactions

ABSTRACT

Participating in play affords physical, social, and cognitive benefits. Here, we review the cognitive behavioral science literature highlighting the value of play and describe the different types of play along with the evidence linking play to positive outcomes for children in areas such as social-emotional, cognitive, academic, and social-emotional development. Several case studies demonstrate how educators, caregivers, and community members can integrate low-cost, evidenced-based playful learning interventions into community settings to impact children where they live.