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This study explores the growing trend of pursuing an ideal muscular physique, which escalates the risk of body image issues and engagement in enhancement behaviours. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, we examined the psychosocial dynamics surrounding these ideals and experiences, particularly the use of performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIEDs). The quantitative arm of the study, involving 131 participants of mixed gender, investigated associations between social physique anxiety (SPA), drive for muscularity, male body attitudes, appearance comparisons, and self‐compassion. Concurrently, qualitative interviews with 16 individuals engaged in PIEDs interrogated the reasons for body image concerns and adaptive coping strategies around increasing body appreciation. The study emphasises the convergence of muscular ideals across genders and advocates for continued research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Existing data reveals prevalent performance and image-enhancing drug (PIED) use in specific global regions and higher rates among athletes, however, research on performance-enhancement experiences among elite untested athletes is lacking. Drawing on conceptual frameworks that emphasize the intersection of context and practice, this research aims to gain insights into the subjective perspectives, motivations, and challenges faced by athletes in managing and optimizing their performance while using PIEDs. In-depth interviews were conducted with seventeen strength sports athletes, including powerlifters and bodybuilders, who had competed at national and/or international levels within untested federations. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the interview data within a social constructivist ontology. Findings revealed that PIEDs have dual roles as tools for enhanced recovery and heightened training stress, a delicate balance that aligns with Foucault’s notion of self-transformation through technological advancements. These substances exerted power beyond consumption events with long-term psychological effects such as anxiety and irrational behavior emerging as key concerns. Peers with lived experience were key actors in the relationship between responsible drug management, however, the need for informed guidance was acknowledged. Non-human actors, notably biometric data tracking, played a pivotal role in guiding substance consumption. The study underscores the need for further research and tailored frameworks to support the health and well-being of athletes in this domain while addressing the broader implications of PIED use in public health discourse. Specifically, this study highlights the significance of integrating lived experiences and social contexts, emphasizing the need for nuanced harm-reduction strategies in this space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are a variety of harms associated with anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS), with some AAS associated with an increased risk profile for users. Despite potentially different risk profiles, these harms are seldom discussed with respect to specific compounds although recent ethnographic research has identified a need to do so. Specifically, myth has developed among users with trenbolone reportedly having more dramatic effects on individuals, with reports of aggression, violent behaviour and extreme mood disturbances, and this is reflected in extant literature. This paper aims to report on the narrative surrounding the use of trenbolone among AAS users. Method: As part of a larger qualitative study, a number of AAS users were interviewed regarding their usage practices. A narrative emerged regarding the physical and psychological harms which accompanied their AAS use of which trenbolone played a central role (N = 16). Results: Of all the AAS, trenbolone was viewed as having the most deleterious consequences for those who used it. Users reported an extreme shift in risk profile for psychosocial harms, particularly increased aggression and violent behaviour, as well as impulsivity regulation issues. AAS‐using peers and family members of users reported the readily observable effect of trenbolone. Discussion and Conclusions: Users should be cognisant of the potential for significant harms and health‐care providers working with this group may consider more focused screening strategies. Future policy decisions regarding AAS may wish to consider the pivotal role trenbolone plays in adverse outcomes for this unique group of substance users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the efficacy of brief 3-minute reflective writing tasks to manage reactions following an upsetting self-perceived eating transgression. Participants (N = 270) identified their own recent upsetting eating scenario and were randomised to complete a writing task encouraging either self-reflective re-construal or self-compassion. All state outcomes were measured immediately pre- and post-intervention, except for state self-compassion which was measured at post-intervention only. Eating regulation and healthy eating behaviours were reported by participants who completed the follow-up (N = 187, 69.3% of the original sample) two weeks after the intervention. Both writing tasks resulted in reduced anxiety, and increased confidence and self-esteem, at post-intervention. The self-compassion writing task led to higher state self-compassion, and lower general negative affect and depression, than the self-reflective re-construal writing task. Moreover, participants in the self-compassion group reported eating a healthier and more balanced diet during the follow-up period than participants in the self-reflection group. The current study has provided further evidence for the efficacy of brief self-compassionate reflective writing to regulate negative affectivity and promote healthy eating behaviours in a non-clinical sample, thus revealing important potential application for this approach in the context of eating pathology and lifestyle-related chronic disease. What is already known about this topic: Perceived eating transgressions are common and upsetting, and can prompt further instances of unhealthy eating. Self-reflections regarding a personal self-regulatory failure are typically ruminative and self-critical rather than productive. Self-compassion interventions have shown promise for affect regulation and in the broad context of eating behaviour. What this topic adds: Brief and accessible self-compassionate reflective writing reduced negative affect and improved healthy eating relative to general self-reflective writing. Findings have extended the known benefits of self-compassion for affect and health to a highly prevalent, non-pathological, and ecologically valid eating context. Self-compassionate reflective writing can be included in interventions to manage emotional and behavioural responses to health-related self-regulatory lapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mental health of elite athletes is reportedly similar to that of the general community, but there could be important differences across geographic regions and cultures. This study investigated the mental health and levels of psychological distress of elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region via a cross-sectional survey. The survey assessed the mental health status, psychological distress, and help-seeking behaviours of athletes from 12 nations of the Oceania region who participated in the Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain (GAPS) program. A high proportion of athletes (84%) met cut-off criteria for at least one of the investigated mental health symptoms. Athletes reported being most likely to seek help from their mother, father, or coach. Furthermore, athletes who reported high psychological distress did not differ in anticipated help-seeking behaviour from athletes who reported low psychological distress. The findings suggest that mental health symptoms are prevalent among elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region. Psychological distress did not predict willingness to seek help, suggesting that education and support frameworks are needed to assist this vulnerable group. Piloting support programs in collaborative aid with nearby developed nations may be warranted and interventions may consider targeted mental health literacy resources and education. What is already known about this topic: The demands athletes face increases their susceptibility to elevated mental health symptoms. Athletes may not seek help for mental health symptoms due to psychological (i.e., stigma) and physical (i.e., geographical) barriers. There is limited research on mental health symptoms and outcomes for athletes, especially among those from developing nations. What this topic adds: A high proportion of athletes (84%) exceeded cut-off scores for elevated psychological distress or a mental health symptom related to depression, anxiety, or eating. Athletes were more likely to seek help from their parents or coach than a mental health professional. Higher psychological distress did not predict help-seeking behaviour thus identifying a need for support programs and collaborative aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise is beneficial for physical and psychological health, yet the majority of Australian adults are not sufficiently active to gain health benefits. Novel methods are needed to enhance the experience of exercise and ultimately exercise participation. The present study examined performance and psychological experiences during a (non-immersive) virtual reality cycling task that incorporated affective feedback. Female participants (N = 137, university students) received either positive, negative, or neutral virtual feedback while cycling on a stationary bicycle in a virtual reality laboratory environment under the instruction to maintain at least 70% of their maximal heart rate for as long as possible (or up to 30 minutes). Participants also responded to measures of affect, motivation, enjoyment, and competitiveness. Data were analysed with ANOVA's performed with feedback groups and trait competitiveness for the psychological and performance dependent measures. Results showed that positive feedback elicited greater interest and enjoyment during the task than neutral and negative feedback. In addition, perceived competence was greater with positive feedback than for neutral and negative feedback in low competitive participants. The type of feedback did not affect performance (cycling persistence, perceived exertion, and effort). The findings indicate the potential importance of providing positive virtual feedback and considering the interaction of individual difference factors, specifically competitiveness, to enhance virtual exercise experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory-based aversive conditioning studies have reliably induced fear toward an image of an outgroup member by pairing the image with a fear-inducing, aversive stimulus. However, laboratory-based studies have been criticized for being simplistic in comparison to the complexities of the real world. The current study is the first to apply an aversive conditioning framework to explain the formation of intergroup fear and subsequent anxiety toward, and avoidance of, the outgroup outside the laboratory. Two samples recalled details of their first negative encounter with an African American (N = 554) or Muslim (N = 613) individual, respectively. Congruent with learning theory, participants who reported an unpleasant event with an outgroup member reported more fear during the encounter than did those who did not report experiencing an unpleasant event. Additionally, the intensity of unpleasantness during the first encounter indirectly predicted outgroup avoidance, via retrospectively recalled fear and current levels of intergroup anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Touch screen tablets are being increasingly used in schools for learning and assessment. However, the validity and reliability of assessments delivered via tablets are largely unknown. The present study tested the psychometric properties of a tablet-based app designed to measure early literacy skills. Tablet-based tests were also compared with traditional paper-based tests. Children aged 2–6 years (N = 99) completed receptive tests delivered via a tablet for letter, word, and numeral skills. The same skills were tested with a traditional paper-based test that used an expressive response format. Children (n = 35) were post-tested 8 weeks later to examine the stability of test scores over time. The tablet test scores showed high internal consistency (all α's >.94), acceptable test-retest reliability (ICC range =.39–.89), and were correlated with child age, family SES, and home literacy teaching to indicate good predictive validity. The agreement between scores for the tablet and traditional tests was high (ICC range =.81–.94). The tablet tests provides valid and reliable measures of children's early literacy skills. The strong psychometric properties and ease of use suggests that tablet-based tests of literacy skills have the potential to improve assessment practices for research purposes and classroom use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationship between attachment and premenstrual symptoms, and the mediating role of maladaptive emotion regulation. Attachment orientation, maladaptive emotion regulation, and premenstrual symptom severity were measured using a cross-sectional design among female university students who were naturally cycling (n = 165) or currently using hormonal contraception (HC) (n = 124). Partial correlations, controlling for age, cycle regularity, and general symptoms of psychopathology (depression, anxiety, and stress), revealed positive associations between maladaptive emotion regulation and premenstrual symptoms, and between anxious attachment and maladaptive emotion regulation for both groups of women. Moreover, among women who were naturally cycling, maladaptive emotion regulation positively mediated the relationship between anxious (but not avoidant) attachment and premenstrual symptom severity; anxious attachment was associated with more severe premenstrual symptoms via increased maladaptive emotion regulation. This same mediation pathway was not observed for participants currently using HC. The findings highlight that a negative model of the self, which is characteristic of an anxious attachment style, may be a useful psychotherapeutic target for naturally cycling women who experience premenstrual symptoms. Further research and replication are required to confirm the potential moderating effect of HC and hormonal changes on these relationships. What is already known about this topic: Premenstrual symptoms affect approximately 70–90% of reproductive-age women. Elevated premenstrual symptoms are associated with adverse psychological outcomes including lower health-related quality of life and increased risk of suicide. Maladaptive emotion regulation has been implicated in heightened premenstrual symptom severity; however, the role of attachment style has been underexplored. What this topic adds: Anxious attachment was associated with elevated premenstrual symptoms via maladaptive emotion regulation among women who were naturally cycling. A negative model of the self may be the theoretical mechanism underlying the link between anxious attachment and premenstrual symptoms. Psychotherapies that address underlying attachment insecurity may improve emotion regulation and, thus, reduce premenstrual symptom severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A frequently observed research finding is that females outperform males on tasks of verbal and language abilities, but there is considerable variability in effect sizes from sample to sample. The gold standard for evaluating gender differences in cognitive ability is to recruit a large, demographically representative sample. We examined 3 decades of U.S. student achievement in reading and writing from the National Assessment of Educational Progress to determine the magnitude of gender differences (N = 3.9 million), and whether these were declining over time as claimed by Feingold (1988). Examination of effect sizes found a developmental progression from initially small gender differences in Grade 4 toward larger effects as students progress through schooling. Differences for reading were small-to-medium (d = −.32 by Grade 12), and medium-sized for writing (d = −.55 by Grade 12) and were stable over the historical time. Additionally, there were pronounced imbalances in gender ratios at the lower left and upper right tails of the ability spectrum. These results are interpreted in the context of Hyde's (2005) gender similarities hypothesis, which holds that most psychological gender differences are only small or trivial in size. Language and verbal abilities represent one exception to the general rule of gender similarities, and we discuss the educational implications of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to test the effect of rowing against a moderately challenging competitor compared to an extremely challenging competitor on performance and motivation. The effect of trait competitiveness was also examined. Design Sixty-seven male participants were classified as either low (n = 34) or high in competitiveness (n = 33) and assigned to either a moderate or extreme challenge condition. Method Participants initially rowed to set a baseline level of performance. Participants rowed again but were accompanied by an on-screen competitor that was set to a speed higher than the baseline performance to create a moderate (5% higher) or extreme (20% higher) challenge level. Results The pattern of performance differed between the challenge conditions. Participants in the extreme challenge condition showed an initial high level of power output and distance rowed, but subsequently showed a steep decline in performance that persisted until the end of the row. In contrast, participants in the moderate challenge condition showed a lower initial level of performance followed by a more gradual decline. Moreover, these participants showed a trend of increasing performance towards the end of the row, whereas participants facing an extremely challenging competitor showed a trend of decreasing performance. Trait competitiveness did not moderate the pattern of results. Conclusions The findings show that challenge level should be considered in the design of VR-based exercise programs and in matching competitive interactions among exercisers in virtual environments. Highlights • Trait competitiveness influences exercise performance in a virtual environment. • The perceived level of challenge induced by a virtual other influences exercise. • Matching of virtual participants can have positive and negative effects on exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to validate a simplified Chinese version of the Empathy Quotient (EQ; 60 items) for use with Mainland Chinese people. The original English version of the EQ was translated into simplified Chinese. Through an online survey, 588 Mainland Chinese participants completed the EQ and 3 other questionnaires: the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Thirty-five participants completed retesting of the EQ 3 to 4 weeks later. Sex differences on the EQ scores and psychometric properties of the EQ items were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that an EQ 15-item structural model fitted the data quite well. Self-report empathy, as assessed by the current simplified Chinese version of the EQ, appeared to relate to participants' autistic and alexithymic traits but not sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Virtual Assessment of Mentalising Ability (VAMA). The VAMA consists of 12 video clips depicting a social drama imposed within an interactive virtual environment with questions assessing the mental states of virtual friends. Response options capture the continuum of ability (i.e., impaired, reduced, accurate, and hypermentalising) within first- and second-order cognitive and affective theory of mind (ToM). Sixty-two healthy participants were administered the VAMA, three other ToM measures, and additional measures of neurocognitive abilities and social functioning. The VAMA had sound internal consistency and high test-retest reliability. Significant correlations between performance on the VAMA and other ToM measures provided preliminary evidence of convergent validity. Small to moderate correlations were observed between performance on the VAMA and neurocognitive tasks. Further, the VAMA was found to correlate significantly with indices of social functioning and was rated as more immersive, more reflective of everyday ToM processes, and was afforded a higher recommendation than an existing computer-based ToM task. These results provide potential evidence that the VAMA is an ecologically valid tool that is sensitive to the spread of ability that can occur in ToM subprocesses and may be a valuable addition to existing ToM measures. Future research should explore the validity and utility of the VAMA in larger, more diverse samples of healthy adult and clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children living in technology-based communities are using touch-screen tablets (e.g. iPads) to engage with the digital world at an early age. The intuitive touch-screen interface, easily downloadable apps (applications) and mobility of tablets drive their increasing popularity with pre-schoolers. This review examines research to date on tablets, apps and emergent literacy in young children in the home and at pre-school. Evidence is building that suggests tablets have the potential to foster emergent writing and letter knowledge. Although the impact of tablets on emergent literacy is not yet fully known, developing themes highlight potential benefits and hindrances of tablets for emergent literacy. Two important considerations are the quality of emergent literacy apps and the importance of scaffolding young children's use of tablets at home and pre-school to support emergent literacy development. Directions for future research and recommendations for parents and teachers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy is an essential component of social interactions and may be related to personality characteristics. However, this issue has not been extensively examined in a Chinese sample. Students at six universities in China ( N = 257) completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Using multiple regression analyses, and after accounting for demographic variables (sex and age), it was found that the affective empathy component Personal Distress positively predicted EPQ-R Neuroticism scores (β = .49), negatively predicted Extraversion (β = -.21) and Lie scale scores (β = -.22), and positively predicted DASS-21 Depression (β = .26), Anxiety (β = .34) and Stress scores (β = .39). Empathic Concern positively predicted Lie Scale scores (β = .21), and negatively predicted Psychoticism scores (β = -.24). Individuals with high scores in Empathic Concern were also found to score more highly on Fantasy, Personal Distress, Neuroticism, Stress and Anxiety. Thus, more empathic individuals are likely to experience elevations in negative affectivity when they perceive the emotional suffering of others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skilled performance in sport often relies on looking at the right place at the right time. Differences in visual behaviour can thus characterise expertise. The current study examined visual attention associated with surfing expertise. Expert (n = 12) and novice (n = 12) surfers viewed 360-degree surfing videos in a head-mounted display. Eye-gaze, presence, and engagement were measured. Experts were faster to detect approaching high, and low waves, spent more time overall attending to high-performance value areas-of-interest (AOIs; pocket, shoulder, lip), and were more physically engaged. Group differences were not found for presence or simulator sickness. Outcomes show that surfing expertise is associated with more optimal visual attention to cues informing wave approach and wave dynamics. Experts look at these areas earlier than novices, and for more time overall. The findings suggest the performance advantages of early planning of motor actions, along with moment-to-moment adjustments while surfing. • Surfing expertise is associated with optimal visual attention to wave cues. • Surfing experts attend to cues about wave approach and wave dynamics. • Surfing experts look at key cues earlier than novices, and for more time overall. • Experts show performance advantages in early motor planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance in skill-based and endurance sports can be enhanced when an individual directs attention toward internal or external cues. However, there might be advantages in attending to specific cues at different times during a continuous sport task. The present study examined the effects of switching attention between internal and external cues when rowing. Novice rowers (N = 27) completed three 2000 m rows while focusing attention on internal cues only, external cues only, or switching between internal and external cues. Overall performance, as measured by time and power output, was best in the switching condition. Measurements of heart rate and perceived exertion were not significantly different between switching and external conditions, suggesting that these performance improvements occurred without producing significant subjective or objective physiologic change. However, a focus on external cues resulted in lower ratings of perceived exertion relative to a focus on internal cues. Self-reported motivation did not differ between conditions. Although instructions to focus internally or externally can influence performance on aerobic tasks, switching attention between these cues may enhance performance. Athletes should consider attending to various cues in rowing and, by extension, in other endurance sports. • Rowing performance is better when switching attention between internal and external cues than either cue in isolation. • A focus on external cues reduced perceptions of exertion relative to a focus on internal cues. • Athletes should switch attentional focus across internal and external cues in purposeful ways to maximise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artifact is common in cardiac RR interval data that is recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. A novel algorithm for artifact detection and interpolation in RR interval data is described. It is based on spatial distribution mapping of RR interval magnitude and relationships to adjacent values in three dimensions. The characteristics of normal physiological RR intervals and artifact intervals were established using 24-h recordings from 20 technician-assessed human cardiac recordings. The algorithm was incorporated into a preprocessing tool and validated using 30 artificial RR (ARR) interval data files, to which known quantities of artifact (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 10%) were added. The impact of preprocessing ARR files with 1% added artifact was also assessed using 10 time domain and frequency domain HRV metrics. The preprocessing tool was also used to preprocess 69 24-h human cardiac recordings. The tool was able to remove artifact from technician-assessed human cardiac recordings (sensitivity 0.84, SD = 0.09, specificity of 1.00, SD = 0.01) and artificial data files. The removal of artifact had a low impact on time domain and frequency domain HRV metrics (ranging from 0% to 2.5% change in values). This novel preprocessing tool can be used with human 24-h cardiac recordings to remove artifact while minimally affecting physiological data and therefore having a low impact on HRV measures of that data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex differences in cognitive abilities are a controversial but actively researched topic. The present study examined whether sex-role identity mediates the relationship between sex and sex-typed cognitive abilities. Three hundred nine participants (105 males and 204 females) were tested on a range of visuospatial and language tasks under laboratory conditions. Participants also completed measures of sex-role identity, used to classify them into masculine, feminine, androgynous and undifferentiated groups. While sex differences were found for some but not all measures, significant sex-role differences were found for all spatial and language measures with the exception of a novel 2D Mental Rotation Task. Masculine sex-roles partially mediated the relationship between sex and a composite measure of spatial ability, while feminine sex-roles fully mediated the relationship between sex and a composite measure of language ability. These results suggest that sex-role identity may have greater utility in explaining individual differences in cognitive performance than biological sex alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of the study was to test the performance, motivational, and affective impact of aerobic exercise within an immersive virtual reality environment experienced alone or with another individual. Design Sixty female participants aged 18–30 years were assigned to one of three conditions: no virtual reality (NVR), individual virtual reality (IVR), or companion virtual reality (CVR). Method Participants completed 9 min of self-paced rowing on an ergometer without any visual input or performance feedback (NVR), individually within a virtual reality environment (IVR), or within a virtual reality environment that included a companion depicted as an avatar (CVR). Results The two virtual reality groups rowed a further distance and at a higher power output than the NVR group. Furthermore, the CVR group outperformed the IVR group in distance and had a higher heart rate. Participants in the virtual reality groups did not perceive themselves to be exerting more physical effort and rated the task as more enjoyable than participants in the NVR group. Conclusions Virtual reality improves performance and the affective response to aerobic exercise, and performance effects are further enhanced by the presence of others in the virtual environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender gaps in the development of mathematical and scientific literacy have important implications for the general public's understanding of scientific issues and for the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and math. We subjected data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress to a meta-analysis to examine whether there were sex differences in mathematics and science achievement for students in the United States across the period 1990-2011. Results show that there were small but stable mean sex differences favoring males in mathematics and science across the past 2 decades, with an effect size of d = .10 and .13, respectively, for students in 12th grade. Furthermore, there were large sex differences in high achievers, with males being overrepresented by a factor of over 2:1 at the upper right of the ability distribution for both mathematics and science. Further efforts are called for to reach equity in mathematics and science educational outcomes for all students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives Research has demonstrated that after exposure treatment, re-exposure to a previously feared stimulus outside of the treatment context can result in renewal of fear. The current study investigated whether conducting exposure treatment in multiple real-life contexts can attenuate renewal of fear. Methods Forty-six moderate to high spider fearful individuals were randomly allocated to groups that received exposure treatment in either one context or three contexts. Follow-up testing was conducted one week and four weeks after exposure in the treatment context or a novel context. Results Renewal of fear was found for the single extinction context group when exposed to the feared object in a novel context with self-report of fear, heart rate, and behavioural avoidance. However, renewal of fear was attenuated for the multiple extinction context group. Limitations The sample included moderate to high spider fearful participants rather than clients with spider phobia, potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings to clinical populations. Conclusions Using multiple extinction contexts in combination with other methods of attenuating renewal (e.g., context similarity) may provide a means to reduce the risk of renewal of fear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research using film stimuli has shown that the strength of empathy-related responses toward nonhuman animals is related to the amount of phylogenetic similarity of the animals to humans. The present study aimed to develop and validate a new set of still images depicting humans and nonhuman animals (primates, quadruped mammals, birds, reptiles) in negative circumstances to provide greater control over variable image quality and contextual features found to be present in film stimuli. Following development of the stimulus set, participants (40 males, 46 females) with a mean age of 23.35 years made subjective ratings of empathy and other reactions to the images. The hypothesized effect of higher ratings of empathy for nonhuman animals that were more closely related to humans was supported. The same effect of phylogenetic similarity was also observed for ratings of arousal, dominance, interest, and pleasantness elicited by the images. moreover, a clear effect of trait empathy emerged, consistent with the prediction that higher empathy ratings would be elicited from those higher in trait empathy. Familiarity, as assessed by level of involvement with the presence and care of animals, was also positively related to trait empathy. The findings validate a new methodology for the assessment of human empathy toward other humans and nonhuman species depicted in negative life situations. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that human empathy generalizes toward other species according to perceived phylogenetic similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy is facilitated by the perceived similarity between the object and subject. Conversely, nurturance has been suggested to influence empathy, in that humans have an ability to empathise with non-kin in a similar way as with their own offspring when certain characteristics (e.g., childlikeness) are present. To examine the combined effects of similarity and nurturance, participants ( n = 69) were presented with images of infant and adult human and wild non-human animals (non-human primates, quadruped wild mammals, and wild birds) depicted in negative, victimising situations. Stronger phasic skin conductance responses and subjective ratings of empathy and arousal were observed for phylogenetically similar species. Subjective empathy and arousal ratings were greater for human infants but this did not extend to the non-human infants. Heart rate was lower during infant than adult stimuli presentations, however, the magnitude of change resembled that previously reported for neutral stimuli presentations. Although a similarity effect is widely acknowledged in the literature, the present findings point to the importance of taking into account both the age and the level of similarity with the target to gain a fuller understanding of empathy towards others of our own and different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for more comprehensive assessments of young children's emerging print knowledge. Traditional letter and numeral identification assessments score children's responses as either correct or incorrect and this approach can underestimate what children know. The present study tested an assessment scale that scored three- and four-year-old children's (N = 69;Mage = 49.17 months) responses along a continuum from no letter and numeral name knowledge, to using a mix of non-conventional and conventional names, through to full mastery. Compared to traditional scoring, the new scale was more comprehensive because it included more elements of each child's emerging knowledge of letter and numeral identification and was more sensitive to individual differences among children. The emergent print identification scale can be used to inform learning and teaching in the early years classroom and be used in early literacy research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Variations in sample motivation have contributed to inconsistent outcomes for the efficacy of computerised working memory training interventions. One potential contributor to motivational variance is the participants' capacity to respond to the demands of experimental tasks – their cognitive ability. To explore whether cognitive ability is related to intrinsic motivation in a working memory task commonly used in working memory training protocols, undergraduate students (N = 113) completed a single session of the adaptive N-back task and a Go/no-go type control task. The range in achievement on the N-back (M = 3.72, SD = 0.80) and on the Go/no-go task (M = 86 %, SD = 8%) allowed for an examination of ability driven differences in motivation. Participants reported the challenging but achievable Go/no-go task as more intrinsically motivating than the N-back task, and higher ability was associated with greater intrinsic motivation and use of more effort during both tasks. The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that equal motivation should not be assumed between groups engaging in tasks of varying complexity, nor between participants of varying cognitive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study aimed to examine empathy in individuals with schizotypy and to explore whether empathy mediates the associations between schizotypy traits and social functioning in college students. 1083 (376 males, mean age 18.78±0.86 years) Chinese university students completed questionnaires measuring empathy, social functioning, and schizotypy. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their scores on the Chapman Psychosis Proneness scales: mixed schizotypy, positive schizotypy, negative schizotypy, and healthy controls. Participants in the negative schizotypy group reported significantly poorer scores on both affective and cognitive empathy than those in the positive schizotypy and healthy control groups. The mixed schizotypy group showed lower affective empathy than the healthy control group. Scores on both cognitive and affective empathy in the positive schizotypy group were similar to those in the healthy control group. In addition, cognitive empathy was found to be a partial mediator of the association between negative schizotypy traits and social functioning. Results suggest that while individuals with negative schizotypy have deficits in empathy, individuals with positive schizotypy show empathy abilities comparable to that of healthy controls. Moreover, only cognitive empathy partially mediated the relationship between negative schizotypy and social functioning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The attentional focus of an athlete or recreational exerciser may influence performance outcomes during running. The present study used an experimental approach to manipulate the associative attentional focus of regular exercisers ( n = 21) as they ran on a treadmill at 75% of Vmax. Participants focused their attention on their breathing, running movements, the distance travelled, or under no specific instructions (control). A focus on distance travelled produced the lowest respiration frequency, and a focus on running movements produced the lowest VO2 consumption. The distance focus was also rated as one of the least difficult and most preferred strategies. Mood states and enjoyment of exercise did not differ across the conditions. The results suggest that the attentional focus that an individual adopts can improve physiological performance outcomes during running without any negative psychological cost. The attentional focus may, thus, be an important factor in the advice that psychologists give to competitive athletes and recreational exercisers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Individuals can show different empathy responses towards others depending on in-group and out-group biases. The present research tested empathy biases related to ethnicity when targets were depicted in negative and positive contexts. Caucasian (n= 99) and Asian (n= 99) participants gave subjective ratings for images depicting same or other ethnicity individuals in socially-relevant negative and positive contexts. Participants rated significantly higher on all three dimensions of empathy (affect, perspective taking, and understanding) for same ethnicity targets than for other ethnicity targets. However, this bias was found only for targets depicted in negative contexts. Moreover, no ethnicity bias was found for ratings of valence, arousal, distress, and interest. The results suggest that ethnicity-related biases in empathy are present, are limited to negative contexts, and are not merely a manifestation of a more general cognitive or affective bias. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Renewal has been implicated as one of the underlying mechanisms in return of fear following exposure therapy. ABC renewal is clinically more relevant than ABA renewal and yet it is a weaker form of renewal, suggesting that conducting extinction treatment in multiple contexts may be sufficient to attenuate ABC renewal. Using self-reported expectancy of shock and startle blink responses the current study examined the effects of conducting extinction treatment in multiple contexts on ABC fear renewal. Participants (N = 68) received conditional stimulus (CS) and unconditional stimulus (US) pairings in one context (A) followed by extinction treatment (CS presentations alone) in either one other context (B) or three other contexts (BCD). Non-reinforced test trials in a novel context (E) resulted in renewal of extinguished conditioned behaviour for those who received extinction in only one context. However, renewal was attenuated for those who received extinction treatment in three contexts. No renewal was found for the control group that received the test trial in the same context as during extinction. Suggestions are provided for clinicians seeking to prevent or attenuate return of fear following exposure therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses "idiomorphs," or idiosyncratic words used by toddlers and young children to refer to objects, with particular focus given to their use in early literacy. Children's use of idiomorphs to refer to print is examined, and suggestions for taking advantage of idiomorphs in early reading education are provided.

Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine measures of cardiac and respiratory activity when participants at different levels of skill development performed a golf putting task under attentional focus instructions. Putting performance and self-reports of attentional focus were also examined. Design: The mixed factorial designs included group, putting condition, and epoch. Methods: Novice (n =18), experienced (n =16), and elite golfers (n =16) attempted 2.4m straight putts under a baseline (no instruction) condition and when instructed to focus attention on a process goal, a performance goal, an outcome goal, or to trust the body to perform the skill. Results: Compared to novice golfers, the experienced and elite golfers showed better performance and reduced heart rate (HR), greater heart rate variability (HRV), pronounced HR deceleration prior to the putt, and a greater tendency to exhale prior to the putt. The attentional focus instructions also influenced HR and putting performance. Conclusions: The results show that athletes at different skill levels differ in their performance and focus of attention while performing a motor task. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) are both clinically important public health problems. Depression is linked with a higher incidence of ischaemic cardiac events and MDD is more prevalent in patients with CHD. No single comprehensive model has yet described the causal mechanisms linking MDD to CHD. Several key mechanisms have been put forward, comprising behavioural mechanisms, genetic mechanisms, dysregulation of immune mechanisms, coagulation abnormalities and vascular endothelial dysfunction, polyunsaturated omega-3 free fatty acid deficiency, and autonomic mechanisms. It has been suggested that these mechanisms form a network, which links MDD and CHD. The aim of this review is to examine the causal mechanisms underlying the relationship between MDD and CHD, with the aim of constructing a topological map of the causal network which describes the relationship between MDD and CHD. Methods: The search term ''depression and heart disease'' was entered into an electronic multiple database search engine. Abstracts were screened for relevance and individually selected articles were collated. Results: This review introduces the first topological map of the causal network which describes the relationship between MDD and CHD. Conclusions: Viewing the causal pathways as an interdependent network presents a new paradigm in this field and provides fertile ground for further research. The causal network can be studied using the methodology of systems biology, which is briefly introduced. Future research should focus on the creation of a more comprehensive topological map of the causal network and the quantification of the activity between each node of the causal network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ABA renewal procedure involves pairing a conditional stimulus (CS) and an unconditional stimulus (US) in one context (A), presenting extinction trials of the CS alone in a second context (B), and nonreinforced test trials of the CS in the acquisition context (A). The renewal of extinguished conditioned behaviour is observed during test. The current study tested the effects of multiple extinction contexts and context similarity in attenuating renewal. Participants (N =99) took part in a fear conditioning ABA renewal procedure. Using a measure of self-reported expectancy of the US, ABA renewal was observed when a single extinction context that was dissimilar to the test context was used. Renewal was attenuated, though still present, when extinction occurred in multiple dissimilar extinction contexts or in a single extinction context that was similar to the test context. Renewal was completely abolished when multiple extinction contexts that were similar to the test context were combined. Multiple extinction contexts and context similarity act additively in their effect on attenuating renewal. The results are discussed in relation to the design of exposure therapy programs that seek to reduce relapse that can occur via renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A surprising number of students in psychology, behavioral science, and related social science classes fail to appreciate the importance of biological mechanisms to understanding behavior. To help teachers promote this understanding, this paper outlines six sources of evidence. These are (a) phylogenetic, (b) genetic/developmental, (c) clinical, (d) experimental, (e) brain recordings, and (f) experiential. The evidence can be easily understood from common knowledge or personal experience and can be incorporated into an introductory level lecture. It is concluded that the successful study of human behavior requires the student to appreciate the biological basis of the discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renewal gives an experimental model for the relapse of fear symptoms following exposure therapy. While renewal of extinguished fear in humans has been observed following a return to the original context in which fear was acquired (ABA design), it has been more difficult to show upon presentation of a novel context (ABC design). The present experiment used a particularly strong context manipulation in a fear conditioning procedure. Context was manipulated by using large photographs of real environments taken from various angles and was present throughout the entire experiment. A renewal of cognitive expectancy was found in both ABA and ABC renewal designs, although it was larger in the former than in the latter. Response times in making the expectancy judgments increased when there was a change to a new context. The results demonstrate consistency in fear renewal effects between human and animal studies and suggest that relapse following exposure therapy via renewal remains a danger when people encounter a previously feared object in a novel context. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Joint writing activities between parent and child can enhance literacy skills in young children. This paper describes the strategies used by a mother to scaffold her daughter's alphabet letter shaping, word and story writing in the years before formal schooling. The strategies included identifying alphabet letters embedded in environmental print and books, tracing letter shapes with fingers whilst using directional language, and using whole-arm movements to form letter shapes in the air. Writing samples and examples of parent-child interactions were collected at three to four years of age and are described within the framework of Gentry's writing stages. The joint writing techniques and activities illustrated in this case study emphasise the use of letter names and letter shapes and may provide effective strategies for parents and early childhood educators to scaffold emergent writing development in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Individual differences in skill level during sport-related motor tasks, such as golf putting, can be related to not only performance, but also patterns in psychophysiological activity. The present study examined the similarities and differences in cardiac and respiratory activity among elite, experienced, and novice golfers. Participants attempted flat putts 2.4 m from the hole. Performance was better in elite and experienced golfers than in novice golfers. Compared to novice golfers, the experienced and elite golfers showed a pronounced phasic deceleration in heart rate immediately prior to the putt, greater heart rate variability in the very low frequency band, and a greater tendency to show a respiratory pattern of exhaling immediately prior to the putt. The psychophysiological patterns may be related to differences in attentional processes or task familiarity between the groups. The implications of the results for the assessment and training of athletes in precision sports are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite the existence of effective interventions for anxiety disorders, relapse - or the return of fear - presents a significant problem for patients and clinicians in the longer term. The present paper draws on the experimental and clinical behavioural literature, reviewing the mechanisms by which the return of fear can occur. The aim of the paper was to generate a list of treatment recommendations for clinicians aimed at reducing relapse in successfully treated anxiety disorders. Clinical and experimental literature on the mechanisms of renewal, reinstatement, spontaneous recovery and reacquisition are reviewed. These are linked with the clinical and experimental literature on the return of fear in successfully treated anxiety. A list of recommendations to assist in reducing the probability of relapse in successfully treated anxiety is presented. This list includes methods for use in behavioural (exposure) treatment of anxiety disorders that aim to enhance clinical outcomes. Despite the significant problem of relapse in successfully treated anxiety, there are methods available to reduce the probability of relapse through return of fear. Clinicians engaging in treatment of anxiety disorders should be mindful of these methods to ensure optimal patient outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study of aversive Pavlovian conditioning in children can contribute to our understanding of how fears are acquired and extinguished during development. However, methodological issues hamper further research because of ethical and procedural concerns regarding the use of traditional aversive unconditional stimuli (USs) and no established method to measure trial-by-trial changes in the child''s expectancy of the US. The present experiment used geometric shape conditional stimuli (CSs) and an unpleasant sound US with 8- to 11-year-old children. Reliable acquisition and extinction were observed with first, second, and third interval skin conductance responses, on-line expectancy judgments, and post-conditioning subjective ratings of pleasantness and arousal. The experiment confirms the novel use of an unpleasant sound of metal scraping on slate as a US in aversive conditioning with children. The methods have the potential to facilitate the ethical conduct of aversive conditioning research in children using psychophysiological, affective, and self-report expectancy measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Golf putting accuracy is often evaluated by measuring the distance that the ball finishes from the hole. However, accuracy is a function of line and length, and distance-from-hole measures confound these two factors. A scoring system for evaluating putting accuracy is described that enables the efficient measurement of errors in line and length. A camera placed above the hole takes digital photographs of the final position of the ball. A custom-developed program written in the National Instruments LabVIEW graphical programming language derives a variety of accuracy measures from these photographs, including distance from the hole, angle of error, distance short or long from the hole, and distance left or right from the hole. Evaluation of the system indicated that the measures were as accurate as manual measurements and were reliable when restored on separate occasions. The camera-based scoring system presents a number of advantages in the evaluation of putting accuracy and may be extended to examine performance in other sports. The ScorePutting program may be downloaded from the Psychonomic Society's Archive of Norms, Stimuli, and Data, www.psychonomic.org/archive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Reinstatement refers to the return of previously extinguished conditioned responses to test trials of a conditional stimulus (CS) when presentations of the unconditional stimulus (US) alone are given following extinction. Four experiments were conducted to determine whether reinstatement could be found in a conditioned suppression task with humans and whether contextual changes can abolish it. Experiment 1 demonstrated the reinstatement of conditioned suppression when acquisition, extinction, US alone, and test trials were all given in the same context. Experiments 2 and 3 suggested that the reinstatement effect was still present when the US alone presentations were given in a different context to the subsequent test trials. Experiment 4 replicated this effect using additional controls over the amount of exposure to the various contexts. The results suggest that reinstatement can be robust across changing contexts. Aspects of the conditioned suppression task that promote the transfer of learning across contexts or the establishment of configural context-CS stimuli may underlie the apparent lack of contextual control over reinstatement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ethical considerations can prohibit the use of traditional unconditional stimuli (USs), such as electric shocks or loud tones, when children or adolescents participate in aversive Pavlovian conditioning experiments. The present study evaluated whether an unpleasant sound provides a viable alternative. Fifteen boys and girls aged 13 to 17 years completed a differential Pavlovian conditioning procedure in which a conditional stimulus (CS) was followed by the sound of metal scraping on slate. Acquisition of conditioned responses was found in startle blink magnitude, expectancy judgments of the sound, and skin conductance responses. Extinction of conditioned responses was found in all measures when the CS was no longer followed by the unpleasant sound. Subjective ratings and skin conductance responses indicated that the sound was unpleasant because of its qualitative features, rather than its intensity. The results support the use of an unpleasant sound as a low-risk alternative to traditional USs in aversive Pavlovian conditioning experiments with children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Research supports an “ingroup empathy hypothesis” of higher empathy-related psychophysiological responses towards individuals of the same ethnicity. However, little research has investigated empathy-related responses to non-human targets graded for phylogenetic relatedness. Participants (N =73) were presented with film stimuli depicting humans, primates, quadruped mammals and birds in victimized circumstances. Phasic skin conductance responses (SCR) and subjective empathy-related ratings to the film clips increased as phylogenetic similarity to humans increased across animal groups, revealing an empathic bias towards human stimuli. Participants also completed a trait empathy scale. High trait empathy participants gave higher subjective empathy ratings than moderate and low trait empathy participants. Low trait empathy participants showed less corrugator electromyographic activity than moderate and high empathy participants. The moderate trait empathy participants showed higher SCR than the high group. The results confirm an effect of phylogenetic similarity in subjective self-report and psychophysiological measures of empathy-related responses. Additionally, convergence between subjective and objective measures of empathy-related responses was observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study examined the magnitudes of startle blink reflexes and electrodermal responses in 4–8-year-old high anxious children (N =14) and non-anxious controls (N =11). Responses were elicited by 16 auditory startle trials during a baseline phase prior to an affective modulation phase involving 12 startle trials presented during angry and neutral faces. Results showed significant response habituation across baseline trials and equivalent response magnitudes between groups during the baseline phase. The modulation of response magnitudes during angry and neutral faces did not differ significantly in either group. However, high anxious children showed larger responses overall compared with non-anxious control children during the affective modulation phase. Moreover, greater anxiety severity and larger startle reflexes were associated with poorer accuracy in rating neutral faces as neutral in high anxious children. Results may reflect elevated reactivity to threat contexts in 4–8-year-old high anxious versus non-anxious children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The acquisition, extinction, and subsequent recovery of conditioned fear can be influenced by the nature of the conditional stimulus (CS) and the context in which the CS is presented. The combined effects of these factors were examined in a differential fear-conditioning procedure with humans. Fear-relevant or fear-irrelevant CSs were followed by a shock unconditional stimulus (US) during acquisition and presented alone during extinction. The CSs were images presented upon different background contexts. Half the participants received the same context during acquisition and extinction and the remaining received different contexts. All participants received test trials in the same context as acquisition. In Experiment 1 (N=64), a renewal of shock expectancy and skin conductance responses was found during test for fear-relevant and fear-irrelevant CSs when extinction was given in a different context. In Experiment 2 (N=72), renewal for fear-relevant stimuli was enhanced when acquisition and test was given in an indoor office context and extinction in an outdoor bush context. The opposite context configuration produced the strongest renewal for fear-irrelevant stimuli. The return of extinguished conditioned fear can occur to fear-relevant stimuli that are commonly associated with clinical fears and its strength may be enhanced when the stimuli are encountered in certain contexts after extinction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The renewal of extinguished conditioned behaviour appears to reflect context-dependent learning. The present research used a conditioned suppression task with humans to examine whether instructions concerning the context could influence renewal. Pairings of a conditional stimulus (CS) and unconditional stimulus (US) were made in one context, followed by extinction trials of CS alone in a second context, and test trials of CS alone upon return to the original learning context. Four experiments tested whether the renewal of conditioned suppression observed during test would be attenuated if participants were instructed that the context changes were irrelevant to the predictive relationship between the CS and US. Using a differential conditioning design, no attenuation was found when the instructions were given prior to conditioning (Experiment 1) or immediately prior to the test trials (Experiment 2). The latter result was replicated with a single-cue conditioning design and further controls for exposure to the extinction contexts (Experiment 3). The collection of on-line ratings about the relationship between the contextual changes and the predictive nature of the CS indicated that participants did attend to and believe the instructions (Experiment 4). The results point to the resistance of renewal to explicit instructions that attempt to devalue the role of the contextual cues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of an acute administration of nicotine on arousal and visual-spatial ability in healthy non-smoking participants was investigated. Healthy adult volunteers with a mean age of 19.98 years received a transdermal nicotine or placebo patch prior to completing a water-level task and two mental rotation tasks while concurrent psychophysiological recordings were taken. Nicotine administration showed a sexually dimorphic effect on arousal (skin conductance level and heart rate). Evidence of superior performance in males compared to females was found in reaction time and accuracy measures for the visual-spatial tasks. However, performance reflected the interaction between sex and nicotine. Nicotine slowed reaction times in the mental rotation tasks more extensively in females than males. Nicotine also reduced confidence in performance during the water-level task in males, but not in females. The effects of nicotine on visual-spatial ability may reflect the interactive effects of sex and changes in arousal levels induced by nicotine administration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The renewal of Pavlovian-conditioned responses may provide a model for the relapse of fear following extinction-based treatments for anxiety disorders. Renewal can be observed if conditional stimulus (CS) and unconditional stimulus (US) pairings are given in one context, extinction trials of CS presentations in a second context, prior to test trials of CS presentations in the original acquisition context (ABA renewal). We examined ABA renewal in humans by using a fear-conditioning procedure with an unpleasant shock US. A renewal of rated shock expectancy was demonstrated with this procedure. Conducting extinction treatment in multiple contexts was expected to attenuate the renewal effect. However, the renewal of shock expectancy persisted when extinction treatment was given across three or five different contexts. With the current renewal design, learning task, and measure of conditioned behaviour, extinction treatment does not appear to readily generalise to the test context. The use of multiple extinction treatments in a clinical setting may not necessarily reduce the likelihood of relapse via a renewal effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle blink reflex in humans can be modulated by selective attention to the prepulse. The present experiment used a memory task to determine whether the encoding of information for later report can modulate PPI. Participants were briefly presented with a display of one or three letters followed by a pattern mask and asked to make a delayed report of the letter(s) shown. Memory recall was better in the 1-letter condition than in the 3-letter condition. Prepulse inhibition was greater in the 3-letter condition than in the 1-letter condition at lead intervals of 120 and 240 ms following the onset of the letter display. Blink modulation did not differ between the letter conditions at lead intervals of 120, 240, 360, or 2600 ms following the mask, ruling out other explanations (e.g., rehearsal) for the earlier difference in PPI. The results suggest that the short-term consolidation of memory, and possibly any cognitive process that requires access to a theoretical limited capacity central processing mechanism modulates PPI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]