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Contextualização: A lei norte-americana acerca da venda e consumo de Cannabis é bastante conflitante. A lei federal proíbe totalmente sua venda sob a Lei de Substâncias Controladas de 1970. Apesar desse tratamento criminalizado, muitos estados “legalizaram” a maconha e até licenciaram empresas para vendê-la. Uma grande indústria cresceu rapidamente para vender esse tipo de produto. No entanto, essas empresas estão violando abertamente a lei federal. Essa violação desencadeia inúmeros problemas legais para esses negócios, inclusive nas áreas de impostos, seguros e funções legais básicas. Objetivo: Este artigo pretende explorar o efeito desse conflito de leis (entre a lei federal e a lei estadual) e as implicações complexas de manter e executar contratos norte-americanos de Cannabis que violam a lei federal. Metodologia: A presente pesquisa vale-se do método indutivo, empregando a análise de decisões judiciais e a revisão bibliográfica. Resultados: Este artigo argumenta que quando a política pública por trás da legalização da maconha é sopesada contra a proibição federal, um tribunal deve considerar que a exigibilidade desses contratos deve ser apoiada pela política mais forte. Portanto, os contratos que envolvem negócios/empresas relacionadas à maconha devem ser aplicados mesmo que violem a Lei Federal de Abuso de Substâncias Controladas.

Healthy adults show better memory for low-arousal positive versus negative stimuli, but depression compromises this positive memory advantage. Existing studies are limited by small samples or analyses that provide limited insight into underlying mechanisms. Our study addresses these concerns by using a multistaged analysis, including diffusion modeling, to identify precise psychological processes underlying the positive memory advantage and its disruption by depression in a large sample. A total of 1,358 participants completed the BDI-II (Beck et al., 1996) and an emotional memory task. At encoding, participants judged whether positive and negative words were positive or self-descriptive. After a free recall test, participants viewed an equal mix of studied and unstudied words and judged whether each was "old" or "new"; if judged "old," they indicated whether the study source was a valence or self-reference judgment. We replicate the positive memory advantage and its decrease in depression in recall, recognition, and source accuracy. The hierarchical drift diffusion model (HDDM; Wiecki et al., 2013) revealed that higher BDI-II scores are associated with more efficient evidence accumulation for negative words in the recognition and source memory tasks. By contrast, evidence accumulation for positive words is unaffected by BDI-II during the recognition task but becomes less efficient with increased BDI-II during the source memory task. In conclusion, in a well-controlled design with a large sample, we find that depression reduces the positive memory advantage. HDDM analyses suggest that this reflects differential effects of depression on the speed of evidence accumulation during the retrieval of positive versus negative memories. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Face recognition assessments that use images of celebrities require not only face recognition ability but also pop-culture knowledge and successful recall of identifying information. Here, we introduce a task designed to measure face recognition more specifically: the Famous Faces Doppelgangers Test (FFDT). Participants ( N = 57,407) identified 40 celebrities paired with lookalike doppelgangers, allowing face recognition ability to be assessed without requiring information recall. In addition, participants reported whether they were familiar with each celebrity, allowing poor face recognition ability to be differentiated from low pop-culture knowledge. FFDT performance was reliable ( rxx = .80), similar across participants of different racial and ethnic groups, and more highly correlated with memory for faces ( r = .50) and self-reported face recognition ability ( r = .48) than processing speed ability ( r = .10). Thus, the FFDT is a reliable, valid, and specific measure of the ability to identify familiar faces, making it a promising new tool for assessing face recognition ability.

Objective Sustaining concussions has been linked to health issues later in life, yet evidence for associations between contact sports exposure and long-term cognitive performance is mixed. This cross-sectional study of former professional American-style football players tested the association of several measures of football exposure with later life cognitive performance, while also comparing the cognitive performance of former players to nonplayers. Methods In total, 353 former professional football players (Mage = 54.3) completed both (1) an online cognitive test battery measuring objective cognitive performance and (2) a survey querying demographic information, current health conditions, and measures of past football exposure, including recollected concussion symptoms playing professional football, diagnosed concussions, years of professional play, and age of first football exposure. Testing occurred an average of 29 years after former players’ final season of professional play. In addition, a comparison sample of 5,086 male participants (nonplayers) completed one or more cognitive tests. Results Former players’ cognitive performance was associated with retrospectively reported football concussion symptoms (rp = −0.19, 95% CI −0.09 to −0.29; p Conclusions Future investigations of the long-term outcomes of contact sports exposure should include measures of sports-related concussion symptoms, which were more sensitive to objective cognitive performance than other football exposure measures, including self-reported diagnosed concussions.

This study examines the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms among sexual minorities in a large international sample and analyzes the relationship between GAD symptoms and two nation-level policies discriminating against sexual minorities: marriage inequality and criminalization of same-sex sex acts. Members of sexual minorities show higher rates of GAD. Structural stigma may contribute to poor mental health outcomes among sexual minorities. We collected GAD symptoms in a sample of 5,929 participants from countries with differing policies restricting the rights of sexual minorities between May 2018 and October 2018. We then used mixed effects regression to examine the effects of sexual orientation and structural stigma (marriage inequality and criminalization of same-sex sex acts) on GAD symptoms. Participants reporting same-sex and both-sex attraction showed more anxiety symptoms than participants reporting opposite-sex attraction. There was no significant interaction effect between marriage inequality or criminalization of same-sex sex acts and sexual orientation on GAD symptoms. The higher measured anxiety among sexual minority participants is consistent with previous research; however, the absence of an interaction effect between sexual orientation and discriminatory policies was contrary to our predictions. We hypothesize that this could be due to differential concealment of sexual orientation due to structural stigma or the effects of stigma and discrimination outside of policy. These findings suggest that changing discriminatory policies may not be sufficient to improve mental health outcomes among sexual minorities; instead, it may be necessary to address sources of stigma beyond direct legal policies.

We investigated whether standardized neuropsychological tests and experimental cognitive paradigms measure the same cognitive faculties. Specifically, do neuropsychological tests commonly used to assess attention measure the same construct as attention paradigms used in cognitive psychology and neuroscience? We built on the “general attention factor”, comprising several widely used experimental paradigms (Huang et al., 2012). Participants (n = 636) completed an on-line battery (TestMyBrain.org) of six experimental tests [Multiple Object Tracking, Flanker Interference, Visual Working Memory, Approximate Number Sense, Spatial Configuration Visual Search, and Gradual Onset Continuous Performance Task (Grad CPT)] and eight neuropsychological tests [Trail Making Test versions A & B (TMT-A, TMT-B), Digit Symbol Coding, Forward and Backward Digit Span, Letter Cancellation, Spatial Span, and Arithmetic]. Exploratory factor analysis in a subset of 357 participants identified a five-factor structure: (1) attentional capacity (Multiple Object Tracking, Visual Working Memory, Digit Symbol Coding, Spatial Span), (2) search (Visual Search, TMT-A, TMT-B, Letter Cancellation); (3) Digit Span; (4) Arithmetic; and (5) Sustained Attention (GradCPT). Confirmatory analysis in 279 held-out participants showed that this model fit better than competing models. A hierarchical model where a general cognitive factor was imposed above the five specific factors fit as well as the model without the general factor. We conclude that Digit Span and Arithmetic tests should not be classified as attention tests. Digit Symbol Coding and Spatial Span tap attentional capacity, while TMT-A, TMT-B, and Letter Cancellation tap search (or attention-shifting) ability. These five tests can be classified as attention tests.

Mobile- and web-based psychological research are a valuable addition to the set of tools available for scientific study, reducing logistical barriers for research participation and allowing the recruitment of larger and more diverse participant groups. However, this comes at the cost of reduced control over the technology used by participants, which can introduce new sources of variability into study results. In this study, we examined differences in measured performance on timed and untimed cognitive tests between users of common digital devices in 59,587 (Study 1) and 3818 (Study 2) visitors to TestMyBrain.org , a web-based cognitive testing platform. Controlling for age, gender, educational background, and cognitive performance on an untimed vocabulary test, users of mobile devices, particularly Android smartphones, showed significantly slower performance on tests of reaction time than users of laptop and desktop computers, suggesting that differences in device latency affect measured reaction times. Users of devices that differ in user interface (e.g. screen size, mouse vs. touchscreen) also show significant differences (p

BACKGROUND: Depression is associated with biases in facial emotion processing, which have an impact on the course and treatment of depression. While decades of research have established a negativity bias in processing in depression, there is still a gap in our understanding of how depression severity impacts sensitivity to detecting differences in emotional faces. METHODS: We examined emotion sensitivity (ES), or the ability to to detect subtle differences in emotional faces, in a large, geographically and culturally diverse, web-based sample (N = 6,598, age range = 18 – 96, 56.50% female, 66% Caucasian). Participants completed ES tasks (fear, anger, or happiness) and a Beck Depression Inventory-II, to determine depression severity. RESULTS: Depression severity was correlated with overall ES performance as well as ES performance for individual emotions. Higher depression scores were associated with poorer performance in detecting happiness, fear, and anger (ps < .001). Examining performance by region, Eastern countries showed significantly poorer ES performance compared to Western countries, and were significantly more depressed. LIMITATIONS: Our sample is non-clinical and self-selected. CONCLUSIONS: This study is an extension of existing research on emotional facial processing, with an approach that takes into consideration the heterogeneity of depression symptoms and corrects psychometric confounds of traditional emotion face processing paradigms. Overall, factors related to severity, task reliability, and facial stimuli should be considered in determining the potential mechanism of facial emotion processing in the onset and course of depression.

Data, analysis scripts, and links to cognitive tests associated with the Famous Faces Doppelgangers Test paper.

Background : Previous work has indicated that differences in neurocognitive functioning may predict the development of adverse post-traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS). Such differences may be vulnerability factors or simply correlates of APNS-related symptoms. Longitudinal studies that measure neurocognitive functioning at the time of trauma are needed to determine whether such differences precede the development of APNS. Methods : Here, we present findings from a subsample of 666 ambulatory patients from the AURORA (A dvancing U nderstanding of R ec O very afteR traum A ) study. All patients presented to EDs after a motor vehicle collision (MVC). We examined associations of neurocognitive test performance shortly after MVC with peritraumatic symptoms in the ED and APNS (depression, post-traumatic stress, post-concussive symptoms, and pain) 2 weeks and 8 weeks later. Neurocognitive tests assessed processing speed, attention, verbal reasoning, memory, and social perception. Results : Distress in the ED was associated with poorer processing speed and short-term memory. Poorer short-term memory was also associated with depression at 2 weeks post-MVC, even after controlling for peritraumatic distress. Finally, higher vocabulary scores were associated with pain 2 weeks post-MVC. Limitations : Self-selection biases among those who present to the ED and enroll in the study limit generalizability. Also, it is not clear whether observed neurocognitive differences predate MVC exposure or arise in the immediate aftermath of MVC exposure. Conclusions : Our results suggest that processing speed and short-term memory may be useful predictors of trauma-related characteristics and the development of some APNS, making such measures clinically-relevant for identifying at-risk individuals.

Mobile- and web-based psychological research are a valuable addition to the set of tools available for scientific study, reducing logistical barriers for research participation and allowing the recruitment of larger and more diverse participant groups. However, this comes at the cost of reduced control over the technology used by participants, which can introduce new sources of variability into study results. In this study, we examined differences in measured performance on timed and untimed cognitive tests between users of common digital devices in 59,587 (Study 1) and 3,818 (Study 2) visitors to TestMyBrain.org, a web-based cognitive testing platform. Controlling for age, sex, and cognitive performance on an untimed vocabulary test, users of mobile devices, particularly Android smartphones, showed significantly slower performance on tests of reaction time than users of laptop and desktop computers, suggesting that differences in device latency effect measured reaction times. Users of devices that differ in user interface (e.g. screen size, mouse vs. touchscreen) also show significant differences (p < 0.001) in measured performance on tests requiring fast reactions or fine motor movements. By quantifying the contribution of device differences to measured cognitive performance in an online setting, we hope to improve the accuracy of mobile- and web-based cognitive assessments, allowing the strengths of these methods to be effectively used.

Background Geosocial networking applications (GNAs) are relatively new outlets through which individuals may find partners for sexual encounters. There has been a paucity of research on the associations between use of these platforms and measures of mental health and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). Aim To examine associations between use of GNA, anxiety, and CSBD. Methods Using data from a large nontargeted Web-based sample (N = 4,203), we examined demographics associated with the use of GNAs. Using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographic differences between users and non-users, we examined associations between GNA use, anxiety, and CSBD. Outcomes The outcomes are Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and a modified Hypersexual Behavior Inventory-19. Results The percentage of participants that reported they used GNAs was 12.3%. Those who reported using the applications compared with those who did not were more likely to be young, male, and nonheterosexual. After adjusting for demographic variables, GNAs use was associated with CSBD (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–2.37, P = .015) but not anxiety. Clinical Implications This study is an initial foray into the relationships between GNA and mental health, establishing a relationship between GNA use and CSBD. Future research is needed to better understand the relationships between GNA use, psychopathology, and CSBD. Strengths & Limitations Strengths of the study include its large sample size and nontargeted recruitment design, which minimizes confirmation bias. Limitations include the cross-sectional nature of this study, which precludes determination of the direction of causation. Conclusion Use of GNAs was prevalent among our sample and associated with CSBD. GNA use may represent an important platform through which CSBD manifests. Conversely, GNA use may drive CSBD.

Background Recovery from dissociative identity disorder (DID) is associated with the process of integration, which includes an increasing sense of self-cohesion and ownership over one's own emotions. Emotion perception is a construction based on interplay between stored knowledge (past experience), and incoming sensory inputs, suggesting changes in emotion perception might occur at different levels of integration – but this remains unexplored. Therefore, we examined the association between integration, psychiatric symptoms, and facial emotion perception. We hypothesized higher integration would be associated with fewer psychiatric symptoms, and differences in the perception of emotions. Methods Participants were 82 respondents to a cross-sectional web-based study. All participants met self-report cutoff scores for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and DID using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and Multiscale Dissociation Inventory, respectively. Participants completed a psychometrically-matched test of facial emotion perception for anger, fear, and happiness called the Belmont Emotion Sensitivity Test. Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and Integration Measure, a validated measure of self-cohesion. Results Higher integration scores were associated with lower depression, PTSD, and autobiographical memory disturbance scores. Repeated-measures ANCOVA confirmed integration significantly interacted with emotion category on the facial emotion perception task. Specifically, higher integration scores were associated with greater accuracy to fearful and angry faces. Conclusions While acknowledging the limitations of a cross-sectional design, our results suggest that the process of integration is associated with fewer psychiatric symptoms, and more accurate facial emotion perception. This supports treatment guidelines regarding integration as a therapeutic goal for DID.

Digital technology has become a major target area for the development of assessments that can be deployed through mobile devices, across large cohorts, and in naturalistic environments. Here, we summarize the results of a report commissioned by the National Institute of Mental Health (HHSN271201700776P) to evaluate mobile assessments of cognition and their appropriateness for deployment in a field test battery. Using data from over 100,000 participants tested through our digital research platform, TestMyBrain.org , we analyze the appropriateness of 25 standard tests of cognition and information processing for field test battery use. Measures are evaluated in terms of their psychometric properties, validity, engagement, and sensitivity to variations in device hardware and software. We also define a minimum duration for acceptable reliability (minDAR) across all 25 tests, operationalized as the duration a test needs to be to achieve an internal reliability of at least 0.7 for primary outcome measures. We note that many tests adapted from experimental approaches, particularly those involving aspects of positive and negative valence, need further development to achieve acceptable length and reliability (based on very high minDAR values, e.g. 180 minutes vs 3 minutes for threat biases in memory vs. memory alone). Device variability also presents a confound for reaction time tests (e.g. iOS vs Android Cohen’s d = 0.4 for simple reaction time, p < 0.001). Areas of focus for development of such measures are described. Digital cognitive assessment is a promising methodology for large sample studies at relatively low cost. There are notable areas where further research and development work is needed, however, to fully realize the potential for cognitive phenotyping at scale.