Modelling perceptions of criminality and remorse from faces using a data-driven computational approach

Perceptions of criminality and remorse are critical for legal decision-making. While faces perceived as criminal are more likely to be selected in police lineups and to receive guilty verdicts, faces perceived as remorseful are more likely to receive less severe punishment recommendations. To identify the information that makes a face appear criminal and/or remorseful, we successfully used two different data-driven computational approaches that led to convergent findings: one relying on the use of computer-generated faces, and the other on photographs of people. In addition to visualising and validating the perceived looks of criminality and remorse, we report correlations with earlier face models of dominance, threat, trustworthiness, masculinity/femininity, and sadness. The new face models of criminal and remorseful appearance contribute to our understanding of perceived criminality and remorse. They can be used to study the effects of perceived criminality and remorse on decision-making; research that can ultimately inform legal policies.     

Working memory and behavioral inhibition in boys with ADHD: An experimental examination of competing models

Working memory (WM) and behavioral inhibition impairments have garnered significant attention as candidate core features, endophenotypes, and/or associated neurocognitive deficits of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The relationship between ADHD-related WM and inhibition deficits remains relatively unclear, however, with inferences about the constructs’ directional relationship stemming predominantly from correlational research. The current study utilized a dual-task paradigm to experimentally examine the relationship between ADHD-related WM and behavioral inhibition deficits. A total of 31 boys (15 ADHD and 16 typically developing [TD]) aged 8–12 years completed WM (1-back and 2-back), behavioral inhibition (stop-signal task [SST]), and dual-condition (1-back/SST and 2-back/SST) experimental tasks. Children with ADHD exhibited significant, large-magnitude WM deficits for the 1-back condition but were not significantly different from children in the TD group for the 2-back, 1-back/SST, and 2-back/SST conditions. Children with ADHD also exhibited significant inhibition deficits for the SST, 1-back/SST, and 2-back/SST conditions, but the within-group effect was not significant. The findings suggest that ADHD-related stop-signal demands are upstream, or compete for, resources involved in controlled-focused attention and/or other central executive (CE), WM processes.     

Inferential basing and mental models

In this paper, I flesh out an account of the inferential basing relation using a theory about how humans reason: the mental models theory. I critically assess some of the notions that are used by that theory to account for inferential phenomena. To the extent that the mental models theory is well confirmed, that account of basing would be motivated on empirical grounds. This work illustrates how epistemologists could offer explications of the basing relation which are more detailed and less empirically risky.     

Transdiagnostic assessment of anxiety symptoms using the Anxiety Disorder Diagnostic Questionnaire – weekly version

Background: Norton and Robinson [2010. Development and evaluation of the anxiety disorder diagnostic questionnaire. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 39(2), 137–149. doi:10.1080/16506070903140430] developed the Anxiety Disorder Diagnostic Questionnaire (ADDQ) as a transdiagnostic assessment of fear and anxiety to address problems in using diagnosis-specific measures as well as limitations with the extant transdiagnostic measures of anxiety. The present study validated a weekly version of the ADDQ, the Anxiety Disorder Diagnostic Questionnaire – Weekly (ADDQ-W) allowing session-by-session transdiagnostic assessment of anxiety.

Method: Data were a secondary analysis of 49 treatment-seeking outpatient adults from a previous clinical trial. The ADDQ-W was administered weekly over the course of 12-group therapy sessions.

Results: The ADDQ-W was a valid weekly measure and neither scores, F(2, 37)?=?2.70, p?=?.08, nor trajectories of change, F(2, 37)?=?0.31, p?=?.73, differed by primary diagnosis, though power was limited. Rate of ADDQ-W change was predictive of change in both primary diagnosis severity, t?=?2.40, p?=?.02, β?=?0.32, and overall severity, t?=?3.01, p?<?.01, β?=?0.36, at post-treatment.

Conclusions: This study has established initial support for the use of the brief, easily scored, ADDQ-W for repeated assessment over treatment using a diagnostically heterogeneous clinical sample of treatment-seeking individuals.     

Betrayed? That’s Me: Implicit and Explicit Betrayed Self-Concept in Young Adults Abused as Children

Attenuated awareness of betrayal, or “betrayal blindness,” is a proposed survival mechanism in relationships where awareness of betrayal will mobilize confront-or-withdraw responses that jeopardize a needed relationship. Empirical tests of betrayal blindness and its effects are hampered by the methodological conundrum of how to measure an absence of awareness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of a novel empirical method to measure implicit betrayed self-concept, the first step in a long-term research aim to operationalize “betrayal blindness.” Informed by betrayal trauma theory, we hypothesized that a history of betrayal within close childhood relationships (but not recent close relationships or “not-close” relationships) would predict implicit betrayed-self associations in young adulthood. An adaptation of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and measured implicit and explicit betrayed-self associations and self-reported history of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse in 529 university undergraduates was designed. Internal consistency reliability of the betrayed self IAT was low but adequate. Hierarchical regression modeling revealed that history of abuse within close childhood relationships (but not recent close relationships or “not-close” relationships) predicted betrayed-self IAT scores. The effect size was small, β = .12, p < .05, 95% CI [.01, .07], R² = .12. In addition, history of betrayal by someone close (but not someone “not close”) at any age predicted increased explicit evaluations of the self as betrayed versus respected, a small effect size, R² = .16. Findings indicate that implicit betrayed self-concept can be measured empirically.     

Re-souling spirituality: redefining the spiritual dimension in schools

Abstract

This article argues that our present model for defining spiritual development within the English school context unhelpfully lends itself to a binary of spirit-body, evoking potential distracting questions about whether or not the soul/spirit actually exists as a separate entity from the body, a question more specifically suited to the religious education curriculum. Instead, using an interdisciplinary approach, the author argues for an alternative model of spirit-soul, based on definitions taken from the contemporary Wholeness movement, in which spirit is perceived as that in us which seeks vision and transcendence, and soul as that which seeks engagement, depth and rootedness. Although the model provides us with an alternative binary, no duality is intended. Rather, the argument is that personal and community maturity implies balance and wholeness of body, soul and spirit, which is more clearly exemplified within this proposed new conceptualisation.     

Self-control exertion and glucose supplementation prior to endurance performance

ObjectivesCompletion of a task requiring self-control may negatively impact on subsequent self-regulatory efforts. This study explored a) whether this effect occurs during a well-practiced endurance task, b) the potential for glucose supplementation to moderate this effect, and c) whether this effect differed over time.MethodFourteen trained cyclists completed four simulated 16 km time trials on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer. Prior to each time trial, participants completed a congruent Stroop task or an incongruent Stroop task that required self-control. They also received either a glucose-based drink or placebo. Participants' performance time and heart rate were recorded throughout the time trials.ResultsMultilevel growth curve analysis revealed a significant three-way interaction between self-control, glucose, and time (b = −0.91; p = 0.02). When participants did not exert self-control (congruent Stroop) or consume glucose (placebo drink) they were slowest during the early stages of the time trial but quickest over the full distance. No differences were found in heart rate across the four conditions.ConclusionsFindings suggest that pacing may explain why self-control exertion interferes with endurance performance. Moreover, the debate revolving around depletion of self-control must consider that any observed effects may be dependent on the timing of performance inspection.     

自然关联性:概念、测量、功能及干预

自然关联性是指人们主观上感到与自然融为一体的程度,包括对自然的认知、情感和行为三个维度。自然关联性的测量主要采用自陈式量表和内隐联系测验从外显和内隐两个层面进行。已有理论与实证研究发现,与自然接触能够帮助恢复心理疲劳、改善认知表现、缓解身心症状、提升幸福感、促进亲社会行为。研究者采用了多种干预方式提升自然关联性。未来的研究需要进一步探究自然关联性的概念、研究方法、积极效应的条件、以及文化的影响等。