Beliefs About Psychological Services Among Guatemalan College Students

This mixed-methods study identified the help-seeking attitudes of Guatemalan college students. A random sample of 248 students across 2 universities responded to a cultural adaptation of the Beliefs About Psychological Services (BAPS; Ægisdóttir & Gerstein, 2009) survey. The directors of both universities and a subsample of participants were also interviewed. Quantitative findings demonstrated low levels of stigma and positive help-seeking attitudes among students. Qualitative findings indicated that psychological services were limited, financially out of reach, or failed to address students’ gender-specific concerns. Recommendations to address these challenges are presented. Este estudio de métodos mixtos identificó las actitudes de búsqueda de ayuda de estudiantes universitarios guatemaltecos. Una muestra aleatoria de 248 estudiantes de dos universidades respondió a una adaptación cultural de la encuesta Creencias sobre Servicios Psicológicos (BAPS, por sus siglas en inglés; Ægisdóttir & Gerstein, 2009). También se entrevistó a los directores de ambas universidades y a una submuestra de participantes. Los hallazgos cuantitativos demostraron bajos niveles de estigma y actitudes de búsqueda de ayuda positivas entre los estudiantes. Los hallazgos cualitativos indicaron que los servicios psicológicos eran limitados, no eran lo bastante asequibles o no abordaban las preocupaciones relativas al sexo de los estudiantes. Se presentan recomendaciones para abordar estos desafíos.     

Integrating values and cognitive style in a model of right-wing radicalism

Research has shown that multi-factorial models of ideology not only account for political orientation but also highlight its core aspects (Feldman & Johnston, 2014). Recently, Montuori (2005) argued that reasoning according to a “logic of disjunction that creates binary opposition” exacerbates what is termed the “totalitarian mindset” (p. 26). In this study we examined this hypothesis by testing a model in which a disjunctive binary logic mediates values and proxies for right-wing radicalism. Methods: 425 participants completed a survey on political orientation that included measures of social dominance orientation and right-wing authoritarianism. Personal values, egalitarianism, and beliefs in a free society were also assessed as they are motives typically associated with ideology. Lastly, we assessed disjunctive logic based on a scale derived from a comprehensive study of ambiguity intolerance markers. Results: A structural equation model in which beliefs in free society, egalitarianism, security, universalism and traditionalism predicted right-wing radicalism was tested with or without interposing a disjunctive logic factor. Our findings show that disjunctive logic played a major role in predicting behaviors associated with right-wing radicalism.     

Effects of a companion dog on associations of danger and threat with oriental-looking targets

In the current study we extend previous findings on the shooter bias toward targets with Arab ethnicity. In an adapted shooter task, we presented stereotypically oriental-looking targets without explicit symbols of Islam (e.g., a turban) and additionally tested if presenting a “harmless” companion dog, together with Arab versus White targets, would affect the shooter bias. Participants responded faster and made fewer errors for armed Arab than for armed White targets. Moreover, compared to the “neutral” no dog condition, the presence of a dog triggered fewer false alarms for White than for Arab targets and slowed down (correct) responses in general. Implications and potential underlying mechanisms are discussed.     

Putting psychology before metaphysics in moral responsibility: Reactive attitudes and a “gut feeling” that can trigger and justify them

ABSTRACT

In “Freedom and Resentment,” P.F. Strawson argues that since the reactive attitudes are psychologically unavoidable, they do not stand in need of justification from philosophical theorizing about the metaphysical conditions necessary for free action. After reviewing and criticizing this line of argument, we develop an alternative account of how the reactive attitudes can be justified through a feature of our psychology. This new account focuses upon a collection of cognitive mechanisms identified by cognitive neuroscience, which recognize human beings (and other minded beings) and which also give rise to a gut feeling that certain entities are possible targets for the reactive attitudes. By focusing on the justificatory power of this gut feeling, we arrive at an account of moral responsibility that places psychology before metaphysics in a manner broadly similar to Strawson’s original account, but in a way that avoids some of the shortcomings of that account.     

Depression severity and psychosocial determinants of physical activity behavior in in-patients with major depressive disorders

BackgroundPhysical inactivity is a world-wide health issue. In people with major depressive disorders approximately 68% do not reach the recommended physical activity levels. Psychosocial determinants of and implicit attitudes towards physical activity serve to explain physical activity behavior and may form the basis of interventions to promote physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine, whether psychosocial determinants and implicit attitudes towards physical activity vary according to depression severity.MethodsPhysically inactive, adult in-patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (according to ICD-10) were recruited from four Swiss psychiatric clinics. Psychosocial determinants of physical activity were assessed with seven questionnaires pertaining to motivational and volitional aspects of physical activity. Implicit attitudes towards physical activity were measured with a computer-based Single Target Implicit Association Test.ResultsIn-patients (N = 215, M_age = 41 ± 13 years, 53% female) with major depressive disorder reporting more severe (n = 52) depression symptomology exhibited less favorable psychosocial determinants for physical activity behavior (self-efficacy, negative outcome expectancies, intention, intrinsic motivation, introjected motivation, external motivation, action planning, perceived barriers, coping planning) compared to those with mild (n = 89) and moderate (n = 74) depression symptomology. Positive outcome expectancies, identified, social support and implicit attitudes towards physical activity did not vary according to depression severity.ConclusionsPsychosocial determinants of physical activity do vary according to depression severity. Attempts to promote physical activity among people with major depressive disorder should take depression severity into account when developing and delivering interventions.Trial registrationISRCTN registry, ISRCTN10469580, registered on 3^rd September 2018, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10469580.