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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

The Diverse Neurogeography Of Emotional Experience: Form Follows Function, Christoper Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika Dec 2010

The Diverse Neurogeography Of Emotional Experience: Form Follows Function, Christoper Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika

Vicki Bitsika

The experience of emotion underlies emotional expression and consequent action. Although several theoretical models of emotion have suggested that emotional expression is reciprocally involved with sensory inputs and behavioural responses to environmental stimuli, these discussions have largely focused upon fear and its survival value to the organism. By describing research studies across a wide range of emotions and the specific brain regions that are associated with those emotions, this review raises the hypothesis that the “form” of emotional experience neurogeography has followed the “function” associated with developing complex emotional and behavioural responses to challenging environmental stimuli. This separation of emotions …


Causal 'Mapping' Of Depression And Anxiety Among Prostate Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Interview Study, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie Aug 2010

Causal 'Mapping' Of Depression And Anxiety Among Prostate Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Interview Study, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Background: Men with prostate cancer experience elevated levels of anxiety and depression, with some previous data suggesting that this is due to loss of previously-available social and personal reinforcing pleasant activities and abilities. Little is currently known about the range of activities/abilities that these patients lose, leaving open the question of how to best target lifestyle changes designed to help them overcome these negative effects on their mental health. This study used personal interviews to gather details of the pattern of lost activities/abilities from a sample of men with prostate cancer so that a self-report questionnaire might be developed for …


Positive (But Not Negative) Punishment Predicts Anxiety And Depression Among Prostate Cancer Patients: An Exploration Of The Behaviour Analytic Model Of Depression, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, David Christie Aug 2010

Positive (But Not Negative) Punishment Predicts Anxiety And Depression Among Prostate Cancer Patients: An Exploration Of The Behaviour Analytic Model Of Depression, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

The relative power of Positive and Negative Punishment as predictors of anxiety and depression was investigated within the gender-specific population of Prostate Cancer patients. As well as being a more powerful predictor of total test scores, Positive Punishment was also a stronger predictor of the presence of clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Examination of the particular Positive Punishment events that were significantly associated with clinical anxiety and depression showed considerable overlap, supporting the concept of a combined anxiety-depression disorder. Suggestions for behavioural interventions with this patient group are made.


Helping Prostate Cancer Patients Understand The Causes Of Anxiety And Depression: Comparing Cancer-Caused Vs Patient Response Events, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie Aug 2010

Helping Prostate Cancer Patients Understand The Causes Of Anxiety And Depression: Comparing Cancer-Caused Vs Patient Response Events, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) patients have elevated anxiety and depression, often showing impairments in decision-making and weakened relationships with their partner and family. Although treatment for these psychological side-effects of PCa is strongly recommended, relatively little is known of the causal processes underlying them. This study compared cancer-based lifestyle changes vs patient behavioural responses to cancer as predictors of anxiety and depression among PCa patients. Methods: PCa patients (381) were surveyed for their responses to standardised anxiety and depression questionnaires, plus a questionnaire designed to assess the kinds of lifestyle changes that had occurred to them and their responses to …