Psychology Commons^™

An Ecological Systems Perspective On Individual Differences In Children's Performance On Measures Of Executive Function, Steven J. Holochwost, Deaven Winebrake, Eleanor D. Brown, Keith R. Happeney, Nicholas J. Wagner, W. Roger Mills-Koonce

Psychology Faculty Publications

The predictive validity of performance on cognitive-behavioral measures of executive function (EF) suggests that these measures index children's underlying capacity for self-regulation. In this paper, we apply ecological systems theory to critically evaluate this assertion. We argue that as typically administered, standard measures of EF do not index children's underlying, trait-like capacity for EF, but rather assess their state-like EF performance at a given point in time and in a particular (and often quite peculiar) context. This underscores the importance of disentangling intra-individual (i.e., state-like) and inter-individual (trait-like) differences in performance on these measures and understanding how factors at various …

Meditations On Loss And Grief: Loss Is A Universal Human Experience - How Can We Cope With It?, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

• The painful experience of loss is universal; many people will face multiple losses throughout their lives.
• Cultural messages of later life are filled with expectations and anticipation of loss that shape how people mourn.
• Immersion in the natural world can help people cope with loss and heal.

Choline Supplementation Alters Hippocampal Cytokine Levels In Adolescence And Adulthood In An Animal Model Of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Jessica A. Baker, Tamara S. Bodnar, Kristen Breit, Joanne Weinberg, Jennifer D. Thomas

Psychology Faculty Publications

Alcohol (ethanol) exposure during pregnancy can adversely affect development, with long-lasting consequences that include neuroimmune, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Alcohol-induced alterations in cytokine levels in the hippocampus may contribute to abnormal cognitive and behavioral outcomes in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Nutritional intervention with the essential nutrient choline can improve hippocampal-dependent behavioral impairments and may also influence neuroimmune function. Thus, we examined the effects of choline supplementation on hippocampal cytokine levels in adolescent and adult rats exposed to alcohol early in development. From postnatal day (PD) 4-9 (third trimester-equivalent), Sprague-Dawley rat pups received ethanol (5.25 g/kg/day) or sham …

The Gendered Face Of Ageism In The Workplace, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, V. Krishna Kumar, Jaqueline Magnarelli, Georgina Hanna

Psychology Faculty Publications

This qualitative study explores perceived age discrimination in the workplace. Increasing age diversity in the workplace has led to an associated increase in ageism. While a large percentage of older workers report being subjected to discriminatory treatment in the workplace, ageism also appears to be gendered. Older female workers are being victimized at a greater rate than their male counterparts. The intersection of age, gender, and other forms of discrimination results in increased stress, threatens the well-being of workers of all ages, and creates a toxic workplace climate. Analysis of 244 participants’ responses to openended items indicated that ageism is …

Fulfilling The Promise Of Applied Developmental Science: Is It Time To Reconsider Our Approach?, Steven J. Holochwost, W. Roger Mills-Koonce, Eleanor D. Brown

Psychology Faculty Publications

The promise of applied developmental science is that we can use scientific methods to promote positive human development and improve the lives of children and families. However, the present political environment in the United States makes the creation of research-informed federal policy difficult, even when the evidence supporting a given policy is unequivocal. In this essay, we hope to begin a conversation about how we, as applied developmental scientists, may modify our approach in order to best fulfill the promise of applied developmental science. To begin this conversation, we discuss the potential for establishing long-term partnerships with smaller entities, including …