Decreasing junk food consumption: A comparison of self-perception theory and reinforcement theory

A behavior reduction procedure based on self-perception theory was developed, and its efficacy was compared to that of a common behavior modification intervention based on traditional reinforcement theory. Following a baseline phase, university students were monetarily reinforced for increasing (in the self-perception condition) or decreasing (in the behavior modification condition) their consumption of junk food. Subsequently, the magnitude of reinforcement was reduced and, finally, the reinforcement contingency was withdrawn. The intervention based on reinforcement theory produced the predicted decrease in junk food consumption while the intervention was in effect, and the postreinforcement intake of subjects in that condition remained below baseline. However, despite an increase in junk food consumption during the intervention phase in the self-perception condition, the hypothesized overjustification effect was not produced. While the results did not support self-perception theory, the data were consistent with an alternative account of the overjustification effect proposed by Williams (1980).This research was partially supported by National Science Foundation Grant SPI8026324 to John F. Kremer and Robert G. Bringle.     

Mapping the Landscape of Personality in Childhood and Adolescence

From infancy, children vary in their typical emotions and behaviors, and by the middle of childhood, children have richly differentiated personalities. In this paper, I review the personality differences that youths exhibit from early childhood through adolescence, using a three-part taxonomy developed by (McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. American Psychologist, 2006; 61, 204–217). First, children exhibit a dispositional signature, including first temperament traits and later the Big Five personality traits, which show some consistency across situations and over time. Second, youths display characteristic adaptations that are more specific to particular life contexts; these include mental representations, strategies, and goals. Third, adolescents form personal narratives, stories about their lives that reflect and shape their identities. I describe the differences youths exhibit in these three domains and situate these differences in the context of overall development in childhood and adolescence. New work on youths’ personalities can serve as the foundation for future lifespan perspectives on personality development.     

Recent Suicidal Ideation Among Patients in an Inner City Emergency Department

The rates and associated features of suicidal ideation among 5,641 patients seeking routine, nonsuicide related care in an inner‐city emergency department were examined. Approximately 8% of patients seeking routine care in the emergency department reported some form of suicidal ideation within the past 2 weeks. Suicidal ideation was common in individuals who were single with poorer mental health, had higher depression, and had received some drug or alcohol treatment in the past 3 months or had used cocaine or marijuana in the past 30 days. Improved screening procedures could help to identify routine care patients who are at risk for suicide.