Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Expert Testimony In Capital Sentencing: Juror Responses, John H. Montgomery, J. Richard Ciccone, Stephen P. Garvey, Theodore Eisenberg

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

The U.S. Supreme Court, in Furman v. Georgia (1972), held that the death penalty is constitutional only when applied on an individualized basis. The resultant changes in the laws in death penalty states fostered the involvement of psychiatric and psychologic expert witnesses at the sentencing phase of the trial, to testify on two major issues: (1) the mitigating factor of a defendant’s abnormal mental state and (2) the aggravating factor of a defendant’s potential for future violence. This study was an exploration of the responses of capital jurors to psychiatric/psychologic expert testimony during capital sentencing. The Capital Jury Project is …

Désir Et Impuissance Dans Halfaouine Et Bye-Bye, Scott Homler

Présence Francophone: Revue internationale de langue et de littérature

The experience of adolescence and the trials of Arab and Beur masculinity are explored in the films of Férid Boughédir and Karim Dridi in order to reveal the psychology and the politics of masculinity in evolution. Studying two films, Halfaouine and Bye-Bye, as well as the autobiography of Abdelkébir Khatibi entitled La mémoire tatouée, we see that they reflect a number of discursive stages of an emergent identity of protest that is based on flight and self-destruction.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Correlates Of Outcome In Nonaccidental Trauma, Janice Lyanne Enriquez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nonaccidental head trauma (NAHT) in infants and children involves intentional injury that is often associated with severe neurological and neuropsychological sequelae. Injuries due to NAHT result in immediate changes in neural function, as evidenced by abnormal biochemical metabolite levels and clinical variables, which are predictive of long-term outcome. Identification of the association between biochemical metabolite levels and clinical variables with long-term outcome of NAHT would permit for an understanding of the types of services that could potentially facilitate recovery or reduce the severity of impairment. Infants and children who sustain such injuries are often excluded from the abuse as well …

Exposure Utilization And Completion Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Ptsd In A “Realworld” Clinical Practice, Claudia Zayfert, Jason C. Deviva, Carolyn Becker, Julie L. Pike, Karen L. Gillock, Sarah A. Hayes

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

This study assessed rates of imaginal exposure therapy (ET) utilization and completion of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a clinical setting and examined variables associated with CBT completion. Using a clinical definition, the completion rate of CBT was markedly lower than rates reported in randomized trials. CBT completion was inversely related to severity of overall pretreatment measures of PTSD, avoidance, hyperarousal, depression, impaired social functioning, and borderline personality disorder. Regression yielded avoidance and depression as unique predictors of completion. Most dropouts occurred before starting imaginal ET, although initiating ET was associated with greater likelihood of …

Nonlinear Dynamics And Interpersonal Correlates Of Verbal Turn-Taking Patterns In A Group Therapy Session, David Pincus, Stephen J. Guastello

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Interpersonal processes and dynamics are ubiquitous topics in psychotherapy, yet they are difficult to study and are theoretically fragmented across therapeutic subdisciplines. The current study tests an integrative model of interpersonal dynamics in small groups using nonlinear dynamical systems theory. The conversation of one group therapy session (with six adolescent sex offenders) is analyzed using orbital decomposition, which allows for the identification of patterns in categorical time series data. The results show evidence of selforganizing social patterns, based on formal measures of turbulence (Lyapunov dimension), information novelty (Shannon's entropy), and complexity (fractal dimension). The degree of patterning in turn taking …

Differential Impairment As An Indicator Of Sex Bias In Dsm-Iv Criteria For Four Personality Disorders, Christina D. Boggs, Leslie C. Morey, Andrew E. Skodol, M. Tracie Shea, Charles A. Sanislow, Carlos M. Grilo, Thomas H. Mcglashan, Mary C. Zanarini, John G. Gunderson

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of sex bias in the diagnostic criteria for borderline, schizotypal, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. A clinical sample of 668 individuals was evaluated for personality disorder criteria using a semistructured interview, and areas of functional impairment were assessed with both self-report and semistructured interview. The authors used a regression model of bias to identify bias as differences in slopes or intercepts between men and women in the relationship between each diagnostic criterion and level of impairment. The results suggest that most of the diagnostic criteria examined do not seem …

Preliminary Evidence For Medication Effects On Functional Abnormalities In The Amygdala And Anterior Cingulate In Bipolar Disorder, Hilary P. Blumberg, Nelson H. Donegan, Charles A. Sanislow, Susan Collins, Cheryl Lacadie, Pawel Skudlarski, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Robert K. Fulbright, Thomas H. Mcglashan, John C. Gore, John H. Krystal

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

RATIONALE: Abnormal amygdala and frontocortical responses to emotional stimuli are implicated in bipolar disorder (BD) and have been proposed as potential treatment targets.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate amygdala and frontocortical responses to emotional face stimuli in BD and the influences of mood-stabilizing medications on these responses.

METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed while 17 BD participants (5 unmedicated) and 17 healthy comparison (HC) participants viewed faces with happy, sad, fearful, or neutral expressions.

RESULTS: The group by stimulus-condition interaction was significant (p<0.01) for amygdala activation, with the greatest effects in the happy face condition. Relative to HC, amygdala increases were greater in unmedicated BD, but lower in medicated BD. Rostral anterior cingulate (rAC) activation was decreased in unmedicated BD compared to HC; however, BD participants taking medication demonstrated rAC activation similar to HC participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample sizes were small, these preliminary results suggest that …

Evoking Non-Repertory Verbal Behavior Across Operant Classes : The Effects Of Motor Echoic Sign Language Training Within The Context Of A Motivating Operation, Karelix Alicea

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The individual effects that echoic, mand, and sign language training procedures have on the acquisition of verbal behavior have been widely demonstrated, but more efficient strategies are still needed. This study combined all three treatment strategies into one treatment intervention in order to investigate the joint effects they may have on verbal behavior. Six participants took part in the study. Intervention totaled 1 hour/day for 5 days/week until mastery criterion for motor echoic behavior was achieved. Although motor echoic behavior were solely targeted for acquisition, significant increases in spontaneous motor mands were noted in all treatment participants. Additionally, 4 treatment …

Children's Learning Of Anxiety Sensitivity : A Preliminary Study Using A Sample Of Youths Referred For Anxiety Disorders, Claudia I. Alvarez De Lugo

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine the origins of anxiety sensitivity (AS) by assessing youths' learning experiences in relation to their AS symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Participants were 33 youths between 7 to 13 years old (M = 9.39 years, SD = 2.01). Youths were assessed using a structured interview and self-report measures. Chi-square analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in the proportions of boys vs. girls, Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic, and married vs. non-married. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that youths' AS learning experiences were significantly related to youths' AS and to youths' anxiety symptoms scores. Partial correlations …

Child Abuse And Neglect, David K. Dilillo, Michelle A. Fortier, Andrea R. Perry

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Although all child abuse is disturbing, the story of Little Diana represents a particularly horrific example—one involving extreme cruelty that resulted the death of a young child. While death is not the most common consequence of abuse, it is the most tragic and unacceptable outcome. What can be gleaned from this case that might prove useful in preventing similar incidents of abuse in the future? In considering this question, two factors emerge that may shed light on important directions for child abuse advocacy. These factors center around the unique challenges faced by immigrant families, and the need for increased perpetrator …

An Exploratory Study Of Constructions Of Masculinity, Sexuality And Hiv/Aids In Namibia, Southern Africa, Jill Brown, James Sorrell, Marcela Raffaelli

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The goal of the current study was to explore notions of masculinity and their linkages to HIV/AIDS among Owambo men and women in Namibia, where an estimated one-fifth of 15–49 year-olds have acquired HIV. Thirteen open-ended interviews and three focus groups were conducted with 50 male and female participants aged 19–50 in rural and urban Namibia. Qualitative analysis revealed six central themes: the evolving meanings of masculinity, power dynamics between men and women, women as active agents, the tension between formal and informal education and HIV transmission, alcohol and masculinity, and the blending of masculinity and explanations of HIV and …

Perceptions Of Predisposing And Protective Factors For Perinatal Depression In Same-Sex Parents, Lori E. Ross, Leah Steele, Beth Sapiro

Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Increasing numbers of women are choosing to have children in the context of same-sex relationships or as “out” lesbian or bisexual individuals. This study used qualitative methods to assess perceived predisposing and protective factors for perinatal depression in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) women. Two focus groups with LGBQ women were conducted: 1) biological parents of young children and 2) nonbiological parents of young children or whose partners were currently pregnant. Three major themes emerged. Issues related to social support were primary, particularly related to disappointment with the lack of support provided by members of the family of origin. …

Mri-Assessed Volume Of Left And Right Hippocampi In Females Correlates With The Relative Length Of The Second And Fourth Fingers (The 2d : 4d Ratio), Janos Kallai, Arpad Csatho, Ferenc Kover, Tamas Makany, Janos Nemes, Krisztina Horvath, Norbert Kovacs, John T. Manning, Lynn Nadel, Ferenc Nagy

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Atrophy of the left or right side of the hippocampus has been related to cognitive deficits and psychiatric disease. In this study, we examined the correlation between the hippocampal volume laterality index and the relative lengths of the second (index finger) and fourth (ring finger) digits (2D:4D) in healthy female subjects. The 2D:4D ratio is fixed in utero, and the ratio is higher in women than in men. There is evidence that this ratio is an indicator of the intrauterine concentration of testosterone, which influences the development of different regions of the brain. Assessing the volume of different parts of …

An Sas Macro For Implementing The Modified Bollen–Stine Bootstrap For Missing Data: Implementing The Bootstrap Using Existing Structural Equation Modeling Software, Craig K. Enders

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The Bollen–Stine bootstrap can be used to correct for standard error and fit statistic bias that occurs in structural equation modeling (SEM) applications due to nonnormal data. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the use of a custom SAS macro program that can be used to implement the Bollen–Stine bootstrap with existing SEM software. Although this article focuses on missing data, the macro can be used with complete data sets as well. A series of heuristic analyses are presented, along with detailed programming instructions for each of the commercial SEM software packages.

The Role Of Spiritual Well-Being In Moderating Frail Elders' Affective Response To Functional Difficulty, Marie P. Dennis, Laura N. Gitlin, Laraine Winter, Yeon K. Chee

Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health Research Papers

Anxiety and depression have been well documented as affective consequences of functional impairment. Little research, however, has examined factors that moderate these associations. The present cross-sectional study examined the role of spiritual well-being in buffering the impact of functional difficulty on the anxiety and depressive symptoms of 319 functionally vulnerable community-dwelling elders, aged 70 or older, participating in a 6-month randomized controlled trial designed to enhance function. As demonstrated in recent research on spirituality and health, we expected that spiritual well-being would moderate the association between functional difficulty and anxiety as well as the relationship between functional difficulty and depression. …

The Tension Of Loss In Old Age, Christa Caruso, Helen K. Black

Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health Research Papers

Our poster is based on a larger qualitative study that explores the personal meaning of suffering to 122 community-dwelling elders. Because loss in old age emerges as a significant aspect of suffering in elders' narratives, we focus on suffering as loss. We are recruiting community dwelling elders aged 80 and above, stratified by ethnicity, gender and self-reported health for extended qualitative interviews. Respondents tell their life story and story of suffering along with personal definitions of suffering. Through narrative analysis we examine responses to the many losses experienced during a long life and the suffering that results from loss. By …

Religious Locus Of Control, Laraine Winter

Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health Research Papers

No abstract provided.

What Is Valuation Of Life For Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Factor Structure And Criterion Validity Of The Vol, Marie P. Dennis, Laraine Winter, Helen K. Black, Laura N. Gitlin

Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health Research Papers

Lawton et al. (1999) defined valuation of life (VOL) as a cognitive-affective schema consisting of complex judgments, emotions and projections influenced by demographic and QOL factors. However, little is known about what constitutes VOL for frail elders. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of a 13-item version of Lawton et al's. (2001) VOL Scale and examined correlational evidence in support of its construct validity with 319 elders enrolled in the Project ABLE study. Responses of half the sample (N=159) were submitted to principal axis factoring, yielding two factors (spiritual well-being, a = .88 and goal-related self-efficacy, a = .84), …

Data Sonification From The Desktop: Should Sound Be Part Of Standard Data Analysis Software?, John H. Flowers, Dion C. Buhman, Kimberly D. Turnage

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The design of auditory formats for data display is presently focused on applications for blind or visually impaired users, specialized displays for use when visual attention must be devoted to other tasks, and some innovative work in revealing properties of complex data that may not be effectively rendered by traditional visual means. With the availability of high-quality and flexible sound production hardware in standard desktop computers, the potential exists for using sound to represent characteristics of typical “small and simple” samples of data in routine data inspection and analysis. Our research has shown that basic properties of simple functions, distribution …

A Narrative Approach To The Evaluation Of Supportive Housing: Stories Of Homeless People Who Have Experienced Serious Mental Illness, Geoffrey Nelson, Juanne Nancarrow Clarke, Angela Febbraro, Maria Hatzipantelis

Psychology Faculty Publications

We present the findings of a narrative approach to the evaluation of supportive housing for formerly homeless people who have experienced serious mental illness. According to the accounts of 11 men and 9 women, their youth and adult years were piled with personal problems, troubled relationships, and a lack of adequate social resources. Since entering supportive housing, participants noted more stability in their lives and the beginning of journeys to recover positive personal identities, restore or develop new supportive relationships, and reclaim resources vital to leading lives with dignity and meaning. The findings add to the literature on housing interventions …

Desktop Data Sonification: Comments On Flowers Et Al., Icad 1996, John H. Flowers, Kimberly D. Turnage, Dion C. Buhman

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Sonification tools have not yet become typical components of data analysis software, despite dramatic advances in sound-production capabilities of personal computers over the past decade. However, we continue to believe that auditory displays have the potential to be highly useful for “small scale” exploration of data for normally sighted users as well as an alternative format for users with visual impairment. Demonstration of effective examples of auditory data displays and design of flexible software tools for data sonification will be key factors in determining the impact of this method of data representation.

Education Chronicle Issue 3 Number 1, Touro College School Of Education And Psychology - Graduate Division

Yearbooks and Newsletters

Fall/Winter 2005/2006 Issue

The Theory Of Planned Behavior: Predicting Physical Activity And Cardiorespiratory Fitness In African American Children, Jeffrey J. Martin, Pamela Hodges Kulinna, Nate Mccaughtry, Donetta Cothran, Joe Dake, Gail Frances Fahoome

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ability of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict African American children’s moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness. Children (N = 548, ages 9–12) completed questionnaires assessing the TPB constructs and MVPA and then had their cardiorespiratory fitness assessed with the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test. Commonly used Structural Equation Modeling fit indices suggested the model was an adequate representation for the relationships within the data. However, results also suggested an extended model which was examined and supported. Tests of direct paths from subjective …

Will Travel For Food: Spatial Discounting In Two New World Monkeys, Jeffrey R. Stevens, Alexandra G. Rosati, Kathryn R. Ross, Marc D. Hauser

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Nonhuman animals steeply discount the future, showing a preference for small, immediate over large, delayed rewards [1–5]. Currently unclear is whether discounting functions depend on context. Here, we examine the effects of spatial context on discounting in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), species known to differ in temporal discounting [5]. We presented subjects with a choice between small, nearby rewards and large, distant rewards. Tamarins traveled farther for the large reward than marmosets, attending to the ratio of reward differences rather than their absolute values. This species difference contrasts with performance on …

Evaluating Clinical Rating Scales For Evidence-Based Dermatology: Some Basic Concepts, Madhulika Gupta, Andrew Johnson, Mary-Margaret Chren

Andrew M. Johnson

Evidence-based dermatology has necessitated the development of rating scales that measure multidimensional and abstract constructs, such as quality of life. This article discusses some basic psychometric concepts, such as reliability, validity, standardization, and measurement precision, which need to be considered when choosing a clinical rating instrument. Also discussed is the impact of these parameters on increasing the statistical power of a clinical trial.

The Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study (Clps): Overview And Implications, Andrew E. Skodol, John G. Gunderson, M. Tracie Shea, Thomas H. Mcglashan, Leslie C. Morey, Charles A. Sanislow, Donna S. Bender, Carlos M. Grilo, Mary C. Zanarini, Shirley Yen, Maria E. Pagano, Robert L. Stout

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

The Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study (CLPS; Gunderson et al., 2000) was developed to fill gaps in our understanding of the nature, course, and impact of personality disorders (PDs). Here, we review published findings to date, discuss their implications for current conceptualizations of PDs, and raise questions that warrant future consideration. We have found that PDs are more stable than major depressive disorder, but that meaningful improvements are possible and not uncommon. We have confirmed also that PDs constitute a significant public health problem, with respect to associated functional impairment, extensive treatment utilization, negative prognostic impact on major depressive disorder, …

Dimensional Representations Of Dsm-Iv Personality Disorders: Relationships To Functional Impairment, Andrew E. Skodol, John M. Oldham, Donna S. Bender, Ingrid R. Dyck, Robert L. Stout, Leslie C. Morey, M. Tracie Shea, Mary C. Zanarini, Charles A. Sanislow, Carlos M. Grilo, Thomas H. Mcglashan, John G. Gunderson

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared three-dimensional representations of DSM-IV personality disorders and standard categories with respect to their associations with psychosocial functioning.

METHOD: Six hundred sixty-eight patients with semistructured interview diagnoses of schizotypal, borderline, avoidant, or obsessive-compulsive personality disorders or with major depressive disorder and no personality disorder completed questionnaires assessing three-factor and five-factor dimensional models of personality. Personality disorder categories, dimensional representations of the categories based on criteria counts, and three- and five-factor personality dimensions were compared on their relationships to impairment in seven domains of functioning, as measured by the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation-Baseline Version.

RESULTS: Both the categorical …

Understanding Latino Children And Adolescents In The Mainstream: Placing Culture At The Center Of Developmental Models, Marcela Raffaelli, Gustavo Carlo, Miguel A. Carranza, Gloria E. Gonzalez-Kruger

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Demographic shifts in the U.S. population require developmental researchers to increase their attention to cultural diversity. Conceptual models that incorporate culturally relevant variables and focus on normative and positive development are needed to produce a more balanced understanding of Latino youth development.

The presence of Spanish-speaking people and their descendents in what are now parts of the United States of America dates back to the early sixteenth century. Despite this presence, Latino families and their children have been inadequately— and sometimes inaccurately—represented in the developmental literature. (In this chapter, the term Latino is used to refer to both male and …

The Relation Between Inhibitory Control And Children’S Eyewitness Memory, Kim P. Roberts, Martine B. Powell

Psychology Faculty Publications

The hypothesis that inhibitory control – an aspect of executive functioning – is related to children’s suggestibility was tested. Five- to 7-year-olds (N = 125) participated in a staged event, were suggestively interviewed, and were later given a recognition test. Conflict and interference measures of inhibitory control were taken and compared to children’s ability to identify details from the target event and reject details from non-target sources (i.e., false suggestions, details from prior events). Children with higher than average verbal retroactive inhibition skills were more resistant to suggestions than children with poor inhibitory control. Collectively, age and retroactive inhibition …

Moral Development In Adolescence, Daniel Hart, Gustavo Carlo

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Themes in the papers in this special issue of the JRA on moral development are identified. We discuss the intersection of moral development research with policy concerns, the distinctive qualities of moral life in adolescence that warrant investigation, the multiple connotations of "moral," the methods typical of moral development research, and the influences that shape adolescent moral development. Suggestions are made for new methods and new directions in the study of moral development.

Moral development in adolescence has reached maturity as an area of research. This essay introduces a special issue of the Journal of Research on Adolescence, which …