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What is scientific progress? This paper advances an interpretation of this question, and an account that serves to answer it (thus interpreted). Roughly, the question is here understood to concern what type of cognitive change with respect to a topicXconstitutes a scientific improvement (to a greater or lesser extent) with respect toX. The answer explored in the paper is that the requisite type of cognitive change occurs when scientific results are made publicly available so as to make it possible for anyone to increase their understanding ofX. This account is briefly compared to two rival accounts of scientific progress, based respectively on increasing truthlikeness and accumulating knowledge, and is argued to be preferable to both.

Author(s): Wolff, Jennifer L; Benge, Jared F; Cassel, Christine K; Monin, Joan K; Reuben, David B | Abstract: BackgroundThe National Institute on Aging (NIA), in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), convened a 2020 Dementia Care, Caregiving, and Services Research Summit Virtual Meeting Series. This review article summarizes three areas of emerging science that are likely to grow in importance given advances in measurement, technologies, and diagnostic tests that were presented at the Summit.ResultsDr. Cassel discussed novel ethical considerations that have resulted from scientific advances that have enabled early diagnosis of pre-clinical dementia. Dr. Monin then summarized issues regarding emotional experiences in persons with dementia and their caregivers and care partners, including the protective impact of positive emotion and heterogeneity of differences in emotion by dementia type and individual characteristics that affect emotional processes with disease progression. Finally, Dr. Jared Benge provided an overview of the role of technologies in buffering the impact of cognitive change on real-world functioning and their utility in safety and monitoring of function and treatment adherence, facilitating communication and transportation, and increasing access to specialists in underserved or remote areas.ConclusionsNational policy initiatives, supported by strong advocacy and increased federal investments, have accelerated the pace of scientific inquiry and innovation related to dementia care and services but have raised some new concerns regarding ethics, disparities, and attending to individual needs, capabilities, and preferences.

Considerable research has been conducted to understand the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral programs in reducing recidivism. This is a result of continued interest in understanding ‘what works...

Objective: This study investigated whether previously identified modifiable risk factors for dementia were associated with cognitive change in Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand) and non-Māori octogenarians of LiLACS NZ (Life and Living in Advanced Age; a Cohort Study in New Zealand), a longitudinal study. Method: Multivariable repeated-measure mixed effect regression models were used to assess the association between modifiable risk factors and sociodemographic variables at baseline, and cognitive change over 6 years, with p values of Results: Modifiable factors associated with cognitive change differed between ethnic groups. Depression was a negative factor in Māori only, secondary education in non-Māori was protective, and obesity predicted better cognition over time for Māori. Diabetes was associated with decreased cognition for both Māori and non-Māori. Conclusion: Our results begin to address gaps in the literature and increase understanding of disparities in dementia risk by ethnicity. These findings have implications for evaluating the type and application of culturally appropriate methods to improve cognition.

In this study, an interventional program based on Individual Psychology was proposed and examined to empower teachers with burnout symptoms. The participants were 54 EFL English language teachers with various professional profiles diagnosed with burnout symptoms. Using a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group went through an empowering program with empowering themes as well as cognitive restructuring techniques to facilitate emotional and cognitive change with behavioral consequences. We evaluated the effects of the program through the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Achievement Motivation Test (AMT). Results indicated the positive and immediate effects of the program in alleviating and treating burnout symptoms. However, the program demonstrated weak durability effects in follow-up tests, and this substantiates the need for tests of continuous and in-service training to evaluate long-term outcomes. Further implications regarding teachers and administrators have been discussed.

Emotion regulation is a human adaptation process with important implications for daily life. Two specific emotion regulation strategies were the principle areas of study: reappraisal (cognitive change in which individuals adapt their state of mind about a given situation) and expressive suppression (response modulation in which individuals change their emotional response after its initiation). The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), that captures individual tendencies to reappraise and to suppress the expression of emotions, was also developed. Response modulation strategy was analyzed by considering two distinct processes: expressive suppression (down-regulation) and expressive enhancement (up-regulation). This latter modulation process has been less frequently studied by researchers. The present study investigates the psychometrical properties, individual differences and correlates of a French adapted version of the ERQ, which comprises reappraisal and the two response modulation tendencies – expressive suppression and expressive enhancement. Based on the initial ERQ, new items were created and added to the scale. The three-factor structure of the ERQ adapted was confirmed. As expected, emotion regulation is linked to individual differences: the tendency to reappraise has a positive low correlation with age; and men are significantly more disposed to suppress and to enhance than women. Finally, the tendency to suppress the expression of emotions is negatively correlated with extraversion, and the disposition to enhance the expression of emotions is negatively correlated with conscientiousness.

Objectives We examined associations between job strain and trajectories of change in cognitive functioning (general cognitive ability plus verbal, spatial, memory, and speed domains) before and after retirement. Methods Data on indicators of job strain, retirement age, and cognitive factors were available from 307 members of the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Participants were followed up for up to 27 years (mean = 15.4, SD = 8.5). Results In growth curve analyses controlling for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, cardiovascular health, and twinness, greater job strain was associated with general cognitive ability (estimate = −1.33, p = .002), worse memory (estimate = −1.22, p = .007), speed (estimate = −1.11, p = .012), and spatial ability (estimate = −0.96, p = .043) at retirement. Greater job strain was also associated with less improvement in general cognitive ability before retirement and a somewhat slower decline after retirement. The sex-stratified analyses showed that the smaller gains of general cognitive ability before retirement (estimate = −1.09, p = .005) were only observed in women. Domain-specific analyses revealed that greater job strain was associated with less improvement in spatial (estimate = −1.35, p = .010) and verbal (estimate = −0.64, p = .047) ability before retirement in women and a slower decline in memory after retirement in women (estimate = 0.85, p = .008) and men (estimate = 1.12, p = .013). Neither preretirement nor postretirement speed was affected significantly by job strain. Discussion Greater job strain may have a negative influence on overall cognitive functioning prior to and at retirement, while interrupting exposure to job strain (postretirement) may slow the rate of cognitive aging. Reducing the level of stress at work should be seen as a potential target for intervention to improve cognitive aging outcomes.

Models of aging and emotion hypothesize age differences in emotion regulation-in frequency, use of strategies, and/or effectiveness-but research to date has been mixed. In the current experience sampling study, younger, middle-aged, and older adults (N = 149), were prompted 5 times a day for 10 days to report on both general strategies (e.g., situation selection, cognitive change) and specific tactics. For each of the 5 strategies proposed by Gross's process model, tactics included those that introduced/increased positive aspects, avoided/decreased negative, and engaged with negative. Consistent with socioemotional selectivity theory, older adults reported less contra-hedonic motivation than younger, but this did not necessarily translate into age differences in regulation frequency or strategy use. Across the sample, strong preferences emerged for strategies intervening early in the emotional process and for tactics that introduced/increased positive aspects; a pattern that was even stronger in older adults. Middle-aged people more often avoided and reduced negative situations, whereas younger adults more often (though rarely) sought out or exacerbated negative situations. Effectiveness varied across strategies and tactics, but age differences only emerged for situation selection and reducing negative aspects of the situation (both less effective for older than younger adults). This research highlights the importance of studying how emotion regulation strategies are implemented in real life situations and suggests that age differences in emotion regulation, when they do emerge, may be more a matter of degree than of type. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Most of the animal studies using inflammation-induced cognitive change have relied on behavioral testing without objective and biologically solid methods to quantify the severity of cognitive disturbances. We have developed a bispectral EEG (BSEEG) method using a novel algorithm in clinical study. This method effectively differentiates between patients with and without delirium, and predict long-term mortality. In the present study, we aimed to apply our bispectral EEG (BSEEG) method, which can detect patients with delirium, to a mouse model of delirium with systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) injection. We recorded EEG after LPS injection using wildtype early adulthood mice (2~3-month-old) and aged mice (18-19-month-old). Animal EEG recordings were converted for power spectral density to calculate BSEEG score using the similar BSEEG algorithm previously developed for our human study. The BSEEG score was relatively stable and slightly high during the day. Alternatively, the BSEEG score was erratic and low in average during the night. LPS injection increased the BSEEG score dose-dependently and diminished the diurnal changes. The mean BSEEG score increased much more in the aged mice group as dosage increased. Our results suggest that BSEEG method can objectively "quantify" level of neuro-Inflammation induced by systemic inflammation (LPS), and that this BSEEG method can be useful as a model of delirium in mice.

“Sense-making” has been proposed as a perspective through which to understand clients’ cognitive changes in cognitive therapy. Until now, sense-making has been measured through subjective verbal reports; however, we considered it important to measure sense-making through nonverbal responses. In the present study, we developed a checklist of nonverbal responses that were thought to indicate “sense-making” and examined whether checklist scores predicted behavioral change. In Study 1, the checklist items were scrutinized through a survey of clinical psychologists. In Study 2, we examined whether the checklist predicted behavioral change. The results showed that the checklist did in fact predict behavioral changes. The results showed that the checklist predicted behavioral changes. The present study provided a valid non-verbal indicator of “sense-making”, but further investigation of the detailed checklist items and its clinical application is warranted in future research.

Background: As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) commonly coexist, the interaction between two has been of the considerable interest. Objective: We determined whether the association of Aβ and tau with cognitive decline differs by the presence of significant CSVD. Methods: We included 60 subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) from Samsung Medical Center and 82 Alzheimer’s disease-related cognitive impairment (ADCI) from ADNI, who underwent Aβ (florbetaben or florbetapir) and tau (flortaucipir, FTP) PET imaging. They were retrospectively assessed for 5.0±3.9 and 5.6±1.9 years with Clinical Dementia Rating-sum of boxes (CDR-SB)/Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Mixed effects models were used to investigate the interaction between Aβ/tau and group on CDR-SB/MMSE changes. Results: The frequency of Aβ positivity (45% versus 54.9%, p = 0.556) and mean global FTP SUVR (1.17±0.21 versus 1.16±0.17, p = 0.702) were not different between the two groups. We found a significant interaction effect of Aβ positivity and SVCI group on CDR-SB increase/MMSE decrease (p = 0.013/p

Objective: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a sensitive and clinically practical test but its usefulness in measuring long-term cognitive effects of ECT is unclear. Using the MoCA, we investigated short- and long-term global cognitive change in ECT-treated patients with a Major Depressive Episode (MDE). Methods: We included 65 consecutive ECT-treated patients with MDE, in whom global cognitive functioning was assessed at baseline (T0); during ECT (before the third session; T1); and 1 week (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) after completion of the index course. Changes in MoCA (sub)scores were analysed using linear mixed models and reliable change indices were computed to investigate individual changes in MoCA total scores. Results: There was a significant effect of time on MoCA scores (F(4, 230.5) = 4.14, P = 0.003), with an improvement in global cognitive functioning from T3 compared to T1 and T2. At the individual level, 26% (n = 17) of patients showed a significantly worse cognitive functioning at T2 and 12% (n = 8) an improved cognitive functioning compared to T0. For T4, these percentages ameliorated to 8% and 18% respectively. Conclusion: No persistent global cognitive impairment induced by ECT was found at the group level using the MoCA. At the individual level, however, there was clear heterogeneity in the effects of ECT on cognitive functioning. The MoCA is a suitable tool to monitor short- and long-term global cognitive functioning in ECT-treated patients with MDE but in younger patients, potential ceiling effects must be taken into account.

PurposeMeat consumption has a variety of implications in society. While various types of meat-restricted diets exist to address this, not enough is known about how the average meat consumer views different avenues to lessening their intake. In response, this study aims to assess US omnivores’ impressions of three meat-restricted diets.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was administered to a cross-sectional, census-balanced sample from Nielsen of 30,000+ US adults. Omnivores (N = 928) were randomized into one of the three conditions where they were asked about their perceptions of a vegetarian diet, a reduced-meat diet or a chicken-free diet as individuals not currently following that dietary pattern.FindingsThe findings showed that omnivores had a more favorable perception of a reduced-meat diet on a greater number of study variables as compared to the vegetarian or chicken-free diets. The research also demonstrated that a majority of omnivores were in the precontemplation stage of cognitive change, suggesting that most American omnivores are not actively demonstrating a readiness to alter their meat consumption in the ways presented.Originality/valueThis research is the first to examine the comparative trends around these three diets among omnivores. It also speaks to how the desirability of meat restriction varies by type of approach, i.e. elimination or reduction, and if the latter, what type. The findings may be of relevance for efforts to reduce global meat consumption for ethical, health, or environmental reasons.

Midlife hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive decline in late-life but little is known about the impact of long-term hypertension on cognitive change over time.We examined blood pressure and cognitive function in 2777 participants (baseline: 2000-2003, 45-75 years, 48.4% men) from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study. Blood pressure was assessed at three study visits and cognitive function was assessed at both follow-ups (mean follow-up: 5.1 years). Z-score differences in five neuropsychological tests, defining cognitive decline, were derived from linear regression models including age and education. The association of cognitive decline over 5 years and blood pressure over 10 years (classified as: normal blood pressure (10 years, reference), prevalent hypertension (10 years), incident hypertension t1 (5 years), incident hypertension t2 (5 years), temporary hypertension (at least one hypertensive reading)) was calculated using linear regression models resulting in coefficient b and 95% confidence interval. We calculated interactions with age (linear and with a cutoff at 65 years).Participants with prevalent hypertension showed a greater cognitive decline in both verbal memory tests. Incident hypertension t1 was associated with a greater decline in the visuospatial organization test. There was no interaction with age.This study showed that prevalent high blood pressure over 10 years is related to cognitive decline. Prevalent hypertension with longer exposure time may be more detrimental than temporary hypertension for cognitive function.

The purpose of this study is to discuss the need to change the perception and perspective of post-human society. To achieve this goal, this study attempts to conduct a discussion of Trans-Humanism and Post-Humanism and the analysis of the film Ex Machina (2015). Basically, Trans-Humanism is a technology based on advanced science that seeks to improve intelligence, body, and psychology through the elimination of human aging and the modification of physical capacity. In other words, Trans-Humanism is a new evolution of modern humans. In the end, Trans-Humanism adheres to Technophilia’s position that the power of science and technology can overcome the limitations of human life. From the perspective of Trans-Humanism, human nature is cliche and is abolished. And trans-humans with improved bodies to overcome biological limitations can no longer be humans. However, it can be recognized as a human from the point of view of post-human. Post-Humanism differs in that it means a review of existing humanism. Basically, Post-Humanism began with the essential question of humanism. Thus, Post-Humanism breaks the binary oppositional paradigm of humans, machines or technology. Post-Humanism does not separate humans and machines, but approaches the concept of mixing and compounding. The error of modern people with regard to the future prospect of post-human society is that people try to predict and judge the future society from the perspective of humanism. Human beings living in the present have expectations and fears about the future. However, this view is only seen from the present point of view, and in the post-human society of the future, man is not a human concept with a traditional nature. Already in the post-human society, today’s human beings are advanced humans who are combined with machines and evolved in their intelligence, body, and emotions. In other words, the expectations and fears that can arise in a post-human society are merely an extension of the traditional humanism that puts humans as subjects and recognizes other post-human subjects as others. In conclusion, post-human society is the coexistence of mechanical human beings born of newly evolved biological humans and technology, and it is necessary to realize that the machines that human beings see today no longer exist.

There is little evidence regarding which therapist strategies promote cognitive change in cognitive therapy (CT) of depression. Drawing from a sample of CT patients, we selected two consecutive sessions for which patients reported markedly different amounts of cognitive change (CC; i.e., a low and high cognitive change session). We then investigated whether four observer-rated psychotherapy process variables differentiated high and low CC sessions. Our analyses focused on 62 patients with large session-to-session differences in self-reported CC. Results from single predictor models showed the therapeutic alliance and therapists’ use of cognitive methods predicted high versus low CC session type. In a model including multiple predictors, only cognitive methods remained significant. These findings are consistent with the view that cognitive methods promote CC in CT.

Objective: There is a debate in psychotherapy research as to whether different kinds of psychotherapy work through specific mechanisms of change. Particularly, it is questioned whether cognitive ch...

Whether and how therapists' delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression differs by patients' ethnicity or race remains unclear. In this study, 218 therapists were randomized to clinical vignettes that involved the same text but varied in whether the accompanying image depicted a Black or White patient. Therapists exhibited three key differences in their views of clinical strategies for working with Black as compared to White patients. They viewed cognitive change strategies as less therapeutic and validation strategies as more therapeutic for Black patients. They reported similar differences for the time they would spend on each kind of strategy. When asked to compare the relative importance of cognitive change vs. validation strategies specifically, therapists rated validation as more important for Black than White patients. Among therapists presented with Black patients, positive racial attitudes were associated with viewing cognitive change and validation strategies as more therapeutic. These results suggest therapists tend to believe it is desirable to incorporate cognitive methods more limitedly when working with Black patients. Whether such adaptations enhance or detract from the care of Black patients is an important issue that merits future investigation.

OBJECTIVE Researchers have been interested in the role of negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA) in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. We examined cognitive change (CC) and these two affect variables across the course of CBT. METHOD Patients (N = 125; M age = 31.7, SD = 13.35; 60% female; 83% Caucasian) participated in 16 weeks of CBT for depression. They completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Immediate Cognitive Change Scale at each session and a measure of affect before and after each session. RESULTS NA decreased (rate of change p < .001, d = -1.08) and PA increased (p < .001, d = 0.53) during treatment. CC predicted next-session PA, 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.11], and NA, -0.09, 95% CI [-0.14, -0.04], and was concurrently associated with change in PA, 0.36, 95% CI [0.30, 0.42], and NA, -0.32, 95% CI [-0.42, -0.26], over the course of a session. Presession PA, 0.22, 95% CI [0.17, 0.26], and NA, -0.13, 95% CI [-0.17, -0.08], predicted postsession CC, while pre to postsession change in PA, -0.05, 95% CI [-0.09, -0.002], and NA, 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.11], predicted change in depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Although NA and PA both change in CBT, the changes in PA are more modest. Both NA and PA predict symptom change, consistent with the possibility that increasing PA may be beneficial. CC and affect change are reciprocally related, suggesting that CC may contribute to affect change, while affect may also facilitate CC. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The act of teaching requires deliberate interventions to ensure that there is cognitive change in the student; thus the key ingredients are being aware of the learning intentions, knowing when a student is successful in attaining those intentions, having sufficient understanding of the student's prior understanding as he or she comes to the task, and knowing enough about the content to provide meaningful and challenging experiences so that there is some sort of progressive development. Accelerated students are more successful, have higher productivity rates, more prestigious occupations and they earn more and increase their income faster compared to older, similar-ability, non-accelerated peers. Acceleration is one of the most curious phenomena in the field of education. Acceleration is a central consideration in gifted education, with close linkages to most definitions and conceptions of giftedness in childhood and adolescence.