Consequences of violating the assumption of independence in the process dissociation procedure: A word fragment completion study

In three experiments that used levels of processing and study time manipulations as independent variables in a word fragment completion task, the validity of the assumption of independence between recollection and automatic influences of memory was assessed. This assumption underlies the use of the process dissociation procedure (Jacoby, 1991), a tool suggested for distinguishing the different contributions of recollection and automatic influences of memory. Overall, it appeared that semantic processing, as compared with physical processing at study, positively affected recollection but negatively affected automatic influences of memory in word fragment completion. This negative effect on the automatic influences was reduced when the available study time decreased. The incompatibility of these results with the assumption of independence between recollection and automatic influences of memory and their impact on the applicability of the process dissociation procedure are discussed.     

The normative bond between Kantian autonomy and Sartrean authenticity: A critical existentialist perspective

Sartre and Kant are not often compared, especially because the former is frequently considered a theorist of a totally arbitrary free will. Nevertheless, this is not a fair interpretation of Sartre. Starting already from Being and Nothingness, he conceived an ethical difference between bad faith and authenticity. More unequivocally, in Notebooks for an Ethics he developed an existentialist ethics, which is more Kantian than expected. In that text, the ethical ideal of authenticity is not so different from the ethical ideal of autonomy in Kant. The aim of this article is to characterize Sartrean authenticity as a radicalization of Kantian autonomy. In both cases, there is a normative criterion, which implies a correct exercise of freedom towards oneself and others. This correct exercise of freedom implies for Kant the exclusion of the will determined by material conditions. For Sartre, this correct exercise means the rejection of bad faith. There is also a similar connection between autonomy and respect in Kant, and between authenticity and generosity in Sartre. Highlighting this little‐known affinity between the two most radical philosophers of freedom could also reveal a non‐ideological Sartre, ready to dialogue with contemporary ethical debate.     

Binary choice under instructions to select versus reject

Two experiments examine differences in binary choice under select versus reject instructions. Three aspects of the choice process are examined: commitment to the chosen alternative, absolute magnitude of attribute evaluations, and information distortion during the choice process. Although the findings support previously hypothesized causes (Study 1), these results are reversed when the decision alternatives are uniformly negative (Study 2a). Accompanying verbal protocols (Study 2b) provide additional insights into the underlying decision process. The results consistently support a compatibility effect. Whenever there is a match between the valences of the alternatives and of the decision strategy, namely selecting a positive alternative or rejecting a negative one, there is greater accentuation of attribute differences, higher certainty in the final choice, and more information distortion. Metaphorically, the choice process seems to flow more smoothly in the compatible conditions.     

The subjective group dynamics in negative campaigns

I relied on the subjective group dynamics framework to analyse the derogation of inparty candidates involved in negative campaigns. In an experimental study (dynamic simulation of an electoral campaign, N = 118), I found that participants downgraded the inparty candidate (both in terms of evaluation and vote choice) more when he ran a person‐based negative campaign than when he ran an issue‐based negative campaign. This effect was significant for participants with high levels of political identification only. Overall, the findings revealed that political candidates, as members of significant social groups, are not exempt from the forms of extremity in evaluations typically observed in other social groups.     

Right‐wing authoritarianism,societal threat to safety,and psychological distress

In two quasi‐experimental vignette studies, we have analyzed how societal threat to safety moderates the relation between right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA) and psychological distress. In Study 1 (Italian community sample, N = 343), we focused on depressive symptoms (measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the General Health Questionnaire). Two moderated regressions showed that the relation between RWA and both measures of depressive symptoms was positive and significant only among people exposed to a socially threatening scenario. In Study 2 (Italian student sample, N = 219), we focused on state anxiety and replicated Study 1's results. The findings indicated that, in conditions of societal threat to safety, RWA is a risk factor for psychological distress. Strengths, limitations, and possible developments of this research are discussed.     

The Joyfully Sexual Infant in the Room: A Response to Frances Thomson-Salo and Campbell Paul

Some thoughts and material from clinical work and infant observations and from supervisions of infant observations are offered in response to Thomson-Salo and Paul’s assertion that infant sexuality is a critical aspect of the infant in him- or herself and in the infant–parent relationship. The distinct benefit for therapists that this position allows—a broadening access to and understanding of transference and countertransference experiences and thus to be able to offer something more in our thinking with patients, young and old—is further highlighted.     

Does the use of mobile phones affect human short‐term memory or attention?

The effect of acute exposure to low‐level radio frequency electromagnetic fields (REF) generated by mobile phones on short‐term memory and attention was assessed in two experiments. Most of the tests manipulated task difficulty or what might be termed cognitive load. This manipulation is important since previous studies have argued that exposure to mobile phones might affect cognitive functions only under conditions which tax the cognitive system. All participants were exposed to REF (half were exposed to GSM—Global System for Mobile Communication—signals and the other half were exposed to unmodulated signals) in one testing session, while in a separate session participants were exposed to sham signals. To investigate potential lateralised effects, the mobile phone was positioned on the left side of the head for half of the participants and on the right side for the other half. No significant effect of exposure to REF was detected in any of the six tasks used in either the low or high cognitive load conditions. This study used much larger sample sizes than is typical for this type of research and REF exposure was administered under double‐blind conditions. Overall, the results indicate that acute exposure to REFs emitted by mobile phones do not have a strong impact on cognitive functions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Traditional martial arts versus modern self-defense training for women: Some comments

Most research conducted on women's self-protection strategies has focused on modern self-defense training, as opposed to traditional martial arts instruction. Further, traditional martial arts training has been characterized by many as less useful for women than modern self-defense instruction. However, no investigations have compared the effectiveness of these two approaches. Several misconceptions concerning traditional martial arts may explain why this form of self-protection has not been utilized as often, or evaluated as frequently, as other methods. This paper: (1) distinguishes traditional martial arts from modern self-defense training, (2) reviews research that has assessed behavioral outcomes of self-defense training strategies, and (3) discusses factors that influence perceptions and efficacy of such programs. To assist in these efforts, we include the expertise and perspectives of an internationally-recognized grandmaster in the Okinawan martial art of Shorin Ryu Karate. Suggestions for directions that future research in this area might take are offered.