Mental body distance comparison: A tool for assessing clinical disturbances in visual body image

Despite numerous body size estimation studies, it cannot be concluded that the disturbance of body image in anorexia nervosa (AN) is specifically one of the visual body images.We adopted a visual imagery method, the Distance Comparison task, to enable across-population testing of differences in visual body image with respect to shape. Participants were asked to mentally scan across two body widths (e.g. hips and shoulders) and to decide as quickly as possible which one was longer or shorter. If the mental representation accessed to make such comparisons is visual, an inverse relation would be expected between RT and distance difference on the body to be judged (i.e. actual difference in size between the two body widths), with accuracy increasing with increasing distance difference. Females with high body shape concern (scoring high on the Body Shape Questionnaire: BSQ, n = 23) were compared to females with low body shape concern (scoring low on the BSQ, n = 19).RT and distance differences on the body demonstrated standard distance differences effects: RT increased and accuracy decreased with decreasing distance differences on the body. Groups differed with respect to accuracy, in that females high on body shape concern were significantly less accurate than females low on body shape concern when making evaluations involving small (?9 cm) differences, which implies a less appropriate visual image of the own body in the former group. With respect to the relation between RT and body distance difference, on the other hand, there were no differences between groups. We concluded that evaluations of own body size employ visual imagery and that the distance comparison task holds promise for the assessment of visual disturbances in body image in clinical populations.     

Evidence-based practice implementation and staff emotional exhaustion in children's services

Understanding the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in community service settings is critical for the successful translation of research to practice. However, we have limited research evidence about the impact of EBP implementation on the mental health and social service workforce. In a previous study we demonstrated reduced staff turnover where an EBP was implemented with fidelity monitoring in the form of supportive ongoing supervision and consultation. Other research has shown that staff burnout and emotional exhaustion in particular is associated with poor quality of care and increased staff turnover intentions and turnover. Current research, however, has focused less on the effects that EBP implementation may have on staff emotional exhaustion. The present study investigates the association of EBP implementation and fidelity monitoring with staff emotional exhaustion in a statewide EBP implementation study. The 21 case-management teams in this study were randomized in a 2 (EBP vs. services as usual [SAU]) by 2 (monitoring vs. no monitoring) design. The EBP in this study was SafeCare^®, a home-based intervention that aims to reduce child neglect in at-risk families. SafeCare was developed from a behavior analysis approach and is based in cognitive behavioral principles. In keeping with our previous research, we hypothesized that providers implementing SafeCare with monitoring would have the lowest levels of emotional exhaustion and those receiving additional monitoring not in the context of EBP implementation would have higher emotional exhaustion relative to the other groups. Results supported our hypotheses in that we found lower emotional exhaustion for staff implementing the EBP but higher emotional exhaustion for staff receiving only fidelity monitoring and providing SAU. Together, these results suggest a potential staff and organizational benefit to EBP implementation and we discuss implications of the findings relative to EBPs and to fidelity monitoring.     

Dissemination of effective mental health treatment procedures: Maximizing the return on a significant investment

While much is known about the efficacy of evidence-based practices, it is currently less clear how to implement these practices into the broader mental health system. Dissemination and implementation research will play a critical role in addressing this uncertainty. This commentary reviews the most recent and compelling research related to these topics while advocating a broader and more defined perspective of dissemination for future research. Three of the authors' most pressing questions are proposed and explored.     

Cognitive mechanisms of visuomotor transformation in movement imitation: Examining predictions based on models of apraxia and motor control

When we observe a movement and then reproduce it, how is this visual input transformed into motor output? Studies on stroke patients with apraxia suggest that there may be two distinct routes used for gesture imitation; an indirect route that recruits stored movement memories (motor programs) and a direct route that bypasses them. The present study examined 30 healthy adults ages 18–80 (mean age = 44.0 years, SD = 19.5) to learn how motor programs are recruited or bypassed in movement imitation depending upon task conditions (whether familiar letters or novel shapes are imitated) and perceptual factors (whether shapes or letters are perceived). Subjects were asked to imitate the movements of a model who formed shapes and letters on a sheer mesh screen, and to report whether they perceived the task as a shape or a letter. Movements were recorded using a Vicon motion analysis system, and subsequently analyzed to determine the degree of difference between the demonstrated and produced movements. As predicted, letter perception on the letter tasks resulted in increased temporal error when the demonstrated stroke order conflicted with subjects’ habitual pattern of letter formation. No such interference effects were observed when the letter tasks were perceived as shapes. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories on imitation, and implications for rehabilitation and motor re-learning are presented.     

定向遗忘中提取抑制的机制：成功提取引起抑制

两个实验采用无关材料考察了字表方式下提取诱发遗忘解释定向遗忘中提取抑制的可能性。在实验中,学习完两个字表后,对字表2 进行不同次数（0、1、3次）的提取练习以考察是否会增强定向遗忘效应以及定向遗忘效应是否随着提取练习次数的增加而增强。实验一中,字表2提取练习是要求被试回忆字表2项目,不给予线索提示。在实验二中,采用词干补笔测验的形式对字表2进行提取练习,词干补笔测验保证了对字表2项目的成功提取。研究结果发现,只有在实验二中对字表2的成功提取练习增强了定向遗忘效应,从而表明成功提取可以解释定向遗忘中的提取抑制     

视觉表象操作加工的眼动实验研究

本研究通过视觉表象旋转和扫描的眼动实验探讨表象的心理表征方式。实验一结果表明,眼动指标具有与反应时相类似的旋转角度效应。实验二结果显示,表象扫描的反应时和眼动指标都具有与知觉扫描加工一样的距离效应。由此可以认为,表象眼动与知觉眼动模式具有相似性;表象具有相对独立的心理表征方式并有其特殊的加工过程;表象的心理表征可以是形象表征,而非一定是抽象的命题或符号表征     

A developmental study of the influence of task characteristics on motor overflow

Motor overflow refers to involuntary movement or muscle activity that may coincide with voluntary movement. This study examined factors influencing motor overflow in 17 children (8-11 years), and 17 adults (18-35 years). Participants performed a finger pressing task by exerting either 33% or 66% of their maximal force output using their dominant or non-dominant hand. Attention was manipulated by tactile stimulation to one or both hands. Overflow relative to the target force was greater in children compared to adults, and at the lower target force for both groups, but was not influenced by attentional stimulation. Childhood overflow was greater when the left-hand performed the task. Although an immature motor system may underlie an inability to suppress involuntary movement, childhood overflow may provide motor stabilization.     

Exploration and exploitation during sequential search

When we learn how to throw darts we adjust how we throw based on where the darts stick. Much of skill learning is computationally similar in that we learn using feedback obtained after the completion of individual actions. We can formalize such tasks as a search problem; among the set of all possible actions, find the action that leads to the highest reward. In such cases our actions have two objectives: we want to best utilize what we already know (exploitation), but we also want to learn to be more successful in the future (exploration). Here we tested how participants learn movement trajectories where feedback is provided as a monetary reward that depends on the chosen trajectory. We mathematically derived the optimal search policy for our experiment using decision theory. The search behavior of participants is well predicted by an ideal searcher model that optimally combines exploration and exploitation.     

RELIGION AND THE MODE OF PRACTICE IN MICHAEL OAKESHOTT

Michael Oakeshott's religious view of the world stands behind much of his political and philosophical writing. In this essay I first discuss Oakeshott's view of religion and the mode of practice in his own terms. I attempt next to illuminate his idea of religion by describing it in less technical language, drawing upon other thinkers such as Georg Simmel and George Santayana, who share similar views. I then evaluate Oakeshott's view as a whole, considering whether his ideas about religion can stand up to careful scrutiny and whether they have value for present-day reflection on religion.     

医学人文关怀在儿科临床实践中的应用

医学的人文精神决定了医疗服务必须体现人文关怀。医学人文关怀是医疗活动的重要组成部分,如今培养人文关怀精神已越来越成为医学教育中不可分割的一部分。儿科学,专科性强,对象特殊,疾病发展变化迅速,工作风险较大。这要求儿科医生应具有更扎实的临床基本功,同时也需要表现人文关怀精神并融入临床实践的每一个环节。这是高质量医疗服务和医学模式转换的必然要求,并且有助于正确决策,减少医疗纠纷。本文目的旨在阐明人文关怀与儿科临床实践之间的关系及其在儿科临床实践中的重要性,并针对目前存在于儿科临床实践中人文冷漠现象提出一些建设性意见。