Individual differences in harm-related moral values are associated with functional integration of large-scale brain networks of emotional regulation

Emotions affects moral judgements, and controlled cognitive processes regulate those emotional responses during moral decision making. However, the neurobiological basis of this interaction is unclear. We used a graph theory measurement called participation coefficient (‘PC’) to quantify the resting-state functional connectivity within and between four meta-analytic groupings (MAGs) associated with emotion generation and regulation, to test whether that measurement predicts individual differences in moral foundations-based values. We found that the PC of one of the MAGs (MAG2) was positively correlated with one of the five recognized moral foundations–the one based on harm avoidance. We also found that increased inter-module connectivity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and middle temporal gyrus with other nodes in the four MAGs was likewise associated with higher endorsement of the Harm foundation. These results suggest that individuals' sensitivity to harm is associated with functional integration of large-scale brain networks of emotional regulation. These findings add to our knowledge of how individual variations in our moral values could be reflected by intrinsic brain network organization and deepen our understanding of the relationship between emotion and cognition during evaluations of moral values.     

Social cognition and real-life functioning in patient samples with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with or without psychosis,compared to a large sample of patients with schizophrenia only and healthy controls

Patients with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS) show an increased risk of developing a psychotic illness lifetime. 22q11.2DS may represent a reliable model for studying the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia. The study of social inference abilities in a genetic condition at high risk for psychosis, like 22q11.2DS, may shed light on the relationships between neurocognitive processes and patients' daily general functioning. The study sample consisted of 1736 participants, divided into four groups: 22q11.2DS patients with diagnosis of psychotic disorder (DEL SCZ, N = 20); 22q11.2DS subjects with no diagnosis of psychosis (DEL, N = 43); patients diagnosed with schizophrenia without 22q11.2DS (SCZ, N = 893); and healthy controls (HC, N = 780). Social cognition was assessed through The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT) and general functioning through the Specific Levels of Functioning (SLoF) scale. We analysed data through regression analysis. The SCZ and DEL groups had similar levels of global functioning; they both had significantly lower SLoF Total scores than HC (p < .001); the DEL SCZ group showed significantly lower scores compared to the other groups (SCZ, p = .004; DEL, p = .003; HC, p < .001). A significant deficit in social cognition was observed in the three clinical groups. In the DEL SCZ and SCZ groups, TASIT scores significantly predicted global functioning (p < .05). Our findings of social cognition deficit in psychosis-prone patients point to the possible future adoption of rehabilitation programmes, like Social Skills Training and Cognitive Remediation, during premorbid stages of psychosis.     

时间透视的自我整合:Ⅱ.心理功能机制的实验研究

以２４个人格形容词为材料,对１１１名大学生被试进行了“过去的我”、“现在的我”和“将来的我”三择一式的迫选反应实验,再配合时间标定作业。结果不仅验证了前文的研究结论,即不同同一性状态的被试在时间透视的广度、方向及关联性等心理结构特征上存在差异,而已表明了整合自我信息的不同的功能机制。不过,这种差异主要体现在积极词上,在消极词上差异不显著。     

A Longitudinal Analysis of Family Empowerment and Client Outcomes

We examined the relationship between family empowerment, parent satisfaction, and mental health outcome across time. Based on the Vanderbilt Family Empowerment Project Model, increased empowerment should lead to positive changes in client outcomes. Data consisted of the Family Empowerment Scale (FES), which was used to assess the caregiver's perception of empowerment, Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS), which measures the degree of disruption in the youth's current functioning, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ), and demographic information gathered from families receiving services from a county mental health service system at intake and discharge. The results showed that the CAFAS and CSQ were related to empowerment at intake and discharge. Results also indicated significant increases in the knowledge subscale of the FES and the CAFAS and moderate increases in the advocacy subscale of the FES and the CSQ. We discuss the implications of these findings for systems of care, such as stronger parent-professional relationships.     

Phenomenology and Theology—Reflections on the Study of Religion

The academic study of religious belief and practice is frequently taken to debunk the content of religion. This attitude impedes the science-theology dialogue and causes believers to react defensively toward studies of religion. I argue that a large, although not unrestricted, domain exists in which phenomenology of religion is neutral with respect to content, that is, compatible with either belief or unbelief. Theology can constructively interact with secular studies of religion, in some cases even explicitly hostile ones. Three themes emerge that elaborate on this interaction: (1) the claim that a scientific study of religion is capable of refuting belief is a logical mistake; (2) religious practice, and to some extent belief, can benefit from secular scrutiny; (3) the entirety of religious expressions is richer than the content that can be captured by analytical study of the phenomenon.     

语言功能偏侧化及其与利手、功能连接的关系

对大脑语言功能偏侧化的探索起始于早期对脑损伤病人的研究。现代脑影像学研究发现, 语言功能偏侧化涉及额叶、颞叶、扣带回、梭状回和辅助运动区等脑区。语言偏侧化与利手和静息态功能连接之间的关系表现为：右利手的语言优势位于左半球, 而左利手的则分布在左半球、右半球或两个半球; 语言功能偏侧化与利手系数、静息态半球内功能连接之间具有正相关关系, 与半球间功能连接呈负相关, 并且语言功能偏侧化与静息态功能连接之间的关系在左右利手个体之间存在差异。总之, 大脑语言功能偏侧化、利手和静息态功能连接三者之间存在相互影响, 基于脑连接和遗传机制的研究将有望揭示出其底层的神经生理机制。     

Efficiency in functional analysis of problem behavior: A quantitative and qualitative review

Originating in the mid-1960s, functional analysis (FA) has become the gold standard method for understanding the environmental variables that come to shape and maintain problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and property destruction. Over the decades, a number of studies have refined FA methods, attempting to improve the overall efficiency of the analysis through experimental design and procedural modifications. In the present review, we used ongoing visual-inspection criteria and basic probability theory to compare and analyze levels of efficiency across FA types. The multielement design and synthesized contingency analyses were about equally efficient with respect to the mean number of sessions conducted per function tested, and the trial-based and synthesized contingency analyses were the 2 most efficient with respect to the mean duration per function tested. We discuss the implications of these findings in the broader context of efficiency and provide recommendations for maximizing efficiency during an FA. We also discuss other qualitative procedural details that may influence the overall efficiency of an FA.     

A translational evaluation of potential iatrogenic effects of single and combined contingencies during functional analysis

Recent research suggests that combining putative reinforcers for problem behavior into a single, synthesized contingency may increase efficiency in identifying behavioral function relative to traditional functional analysis (FA). Other research suggests potential shortcomings of synthesized contingency analysis (SCA), such as the potential for false-positive outcomes. In prior comparisons of traditional FAs and SCAs, investigators could not ascertain with certainty the true function(s) of the participants' problem behavior for use as the criterion variable. We conducted a translational study to circumvent this limitation by training a specific function for a surrogate destructive behavior prior to conducting a traditional FA and SCA. The traditional FA correctly identified the previously established function of the target response in all six cases and produced no iatrogenic effects. The SCA produced differentiated results in all cases and iatrogenic effects (i.e., an additional function) in three of six cases. We discuss these findings in terms of the mechanisms that may promote iatrogenic effects.     

Impact of language on behavior treatment outcomes

Resurgence of problem behavior following effective functional communication training (FCT) can occur if the functional communication response contacts extinction. For children from dual-language households, extinction may unintentionally occur due to language variations among communication partners. In the current study, the experimenters evaluated the effect of language on FCT outcomes. Participants were 3 children with autism who engaged in problem behavior and whose parents reported Spanish as the primary home language. The experimenters conducted FCT in the English language followed by probes in the Spanish language. Results suggest that functional communication responses (FCRs) learned in the first language (English) may lead to resurgence of problem behavior when English FCRs do not contact reinforcement in the untaught language (e.g., Spanish). Two of the participants required additional teaching in the secondary language (Spanish), while the third participant eventually emitted Spanish FCRs in the Spanish condition without explicit teaching.     

老年人声音诱发闪光错觉的大脑静息态低频振幅

声音诱发闪光错觉(sound-induced flash illusion, SiFI)是一种听觉占主导性的多感觉整合现象, 即当视觉闪光伴随不相等数量的听觉声音在100 ms内相继或同时呈现时, 个体会错觉性地知觉到视觉闪光的个数与听觉声音的数量相等。本研究分别将老年人群体和年轻人群体的声音诱发闪光错觉量(裂变错觉和融合错觉)与全脑的静息态低频振幅(amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, ALFF)进行相关分析, 考察老年人群体声音诱发闪光错觉效应与大脑静息状态自发活动区域的关系。结果发现, 无论是裂变错觉还是融合错觉, 老年人声音诱发闪光错觉均增大。对于裂变错觉, 老年人的错觉量与内侧前额叶皮层的自发活动呈显著正相关; 对于融合错觉, 老年人的错觉量与额下回、额中回和颞下回的自发活动呈显著正相关, 与枕上回和舌回的自发活动呈现显著的负相关。结果表明, 老年人声音诱发闪光错觉量增大的原因与大脑中多个脑区的静息态自发活动存在关系。