Mental Disease in Africans: Racial Determinism

1958 ◽  
Vol 104 (435) ◽  
pp. 377-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Simons
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Mental Disease ◽  
Thought Processes ◽  
White Race ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cultural Disposition

There has grown up in the past 30 years in East Africa a school of medical psychologists which sets out to interpret African thought processes, personality traits and mental disorders in terms of a racially genetic and cultural disposition. A correlation is assumed or suggested between a specific brain structure, social behaviour, psychology and psycho-pathology. Explanations are couched in terms of a racial determinism, and involve an assertion of inferiority as compared with the White race.

The relationship between brain structure and general psychopathology in preadolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Mewton ◽  
Briana Lees ◽  
Lindsay Squeglia ◽  
Miriam K. Forbes ◽  
Matthew Sunderland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
Cortical Volume ◽  
Subcortical Regions ◽  
The Relationship

Categorical mental disorders are being recognized as suboptimal targets in clinical neuroscience due to poor reliability as well as high rates of heterogeneity within, and comorbidity between, mental disorders. As an alternative to the case-control approach, recent studies have focused on the relationship between neurobiology and latent dimensions of psychopathology. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between brain structure and psychopathology in the critical preadolescent period when psychopathology is emerging. This study included baseline data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® (n = 11,721; age range = 9-10 years; male = 52.2%). General psychopathology, externalizing, internalizing, and thought disorder dimensions were based on a higher-order model of psychopathology and estimated using Bayesian plausible values. Outcome variables included global and regional cortical volume, thickness, and surface area. Higher levels of psychopathology across all dimensions were associated with lower volume and surface area globally, as well as widespread and pervasive alterations across the majority of cortical and subcortical regions studied, after adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, and parental education. The relationships between general psychopathology and brain structure were attenuated when adjusting for cognitive functioning. There was evidence of a relationship between externalizing psychopathology and frontal regions of the cortex that was independent of general psychopathology. The current study identified lower cortical volume and surface area as transdiagnostic biomarkers for general psychopathology in preadolescence. The widespread and pervasive relationships between general psychopathology and brain structure may reflect cognitive dysfunction that is a feature across a range of mental illnesses.

Suicidality and Treatment Experience Among Young People Who Inject Drugs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ellen Mackesy-Amiti ◽  
Lawrence J. Ouellet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Psychiatric Research ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
The Past

Background. We examined correlates of past year suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) and described past year treatment experiences among young people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods. Participants were 570 adults (18-25 years) who injected primarily heroin. Interviews were conducted at field stations operated by Community Outreach Intervention Projects in Chicago, Illinois (USA). Interviewers administered the Psychiatric Research Instrument for Substance and Mental Disorders. Substance use and mental disorders were based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Past year STB was based on multiple questions. Results. Sixteen percent of men and 25% of women reported STB in the past year. In multivariable analysis, STB was associated with non-heterosexual orientation, foster care, and being raised by two parents. Primary major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder had independent effects on suicidality. Among those reporting past year STB (n=111), 83% ever received mental health treatment, while 44% did so in the past year. While 24% of respondents indicated that at least one treatment matched their needs very well, 30% reported treatment that did not match their needs at all. The most common reason for ending treatment was program completion (about 50%) while getting better was endorsed by about 25%. Nearly half reported ending treatment due to a bad experience, logistical issues, or expense. Conclusions. Young PWID are at high risk for suicidal behavior and their mental health treatment experiences often do not meet their needs. There is a pressing need for more integrated substance use and mental health treatment.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing histories of multispecies entanglements: Ancient pathogen genomics and the case of Borrelia recurrentis

2021 ◽  
pp. 146960532199394
Author(s):  
Venla Oikkonen
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Ancient Dna ◽  
Relapsing Fever ◽  
Borrelia Recurrentis ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cultural Implications ◽  
Past Millennium

This article explores the conceptual and cultural implications of using pathogen ancient DNA (aDNA) collected in archaeological contexts to understand the past. More specifically, it examines ancient pathogen genomics as a way of conceptualizing multispecies entanglements. The analysis focuses on the 2018 sequencing of Borrelia recurrentis bacteria retrieved from a medieval graveyard in Oslo, Norway. B. recurrentis is associated with louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF), known to have killed several million people in Europe during the past millennium, and it is still encountered in parts of East Africa. The article demonstrates that while aDNA research often foregrounds multispecies entanglements, its epistemic tools cannot easily address the ontological blurriness of pathogens and their embeddedness in vibrant material processes. The article draws on feminist posthumanities work on microbes and materiality to highlight conceptual openings that a theorization of ancient pathogens could engender.

Calligraphy, Psychology and the Confucian Literati Personality

2021 ◽  
pp. 097133362199044
Author(s):  
Henry S. R. Kao ◽  
Min Xu ◽  
Tin Tin Kao
Keyword(s):  
Visual Attention ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Confucian Culture ◽  
Chinese Calligraphy ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Past

Our research in the past 40 years has identified beneficial effects of Chinese calligraphy handwriting (CCH) practice on visual attention, cognitive activation, physiological slowdown, emotional relaxation and behavioural change. We hypothesised that these outcomes may constitute a compressive set of foundations which could impact several traits of Chinese personality within the context of Confucian culture and values. Here, we give a brief overview of the background of CCH and its effect in the cognitive, physiological and bio-emotional domains. We then provide empirical evidence showing strong association of CCH and personality traits and discuss the results in the contexts of calligraphy practice and Confucian literati personality, Confucianism and Chinese personalities as well as calligraphy writing and tool-using psychological theory.

Research in Design Theory and Methodology in West Germany

1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Hundal
Keyword(s):  
Design Theory ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Thought Processes ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Cad Systems ◽  
The Past ◽  
Embodiment Design ◽  
Design Theory And Methodology

Abstract Current research in design methods in the Federal Republic of Germany is reviewed. VDI guideline 2221 is discussed. The paper looks at basic research in design theory and methodology, application of the methodology to computer-aided conceptual and embodiment design, development of intelligent CAD systems, use of expert systems in CAD, and understanding thought processes in designing. References to the publications of the past three years are given.

Endophenotypes and Diagnostic Categories: Event-related Potentials and the Schizophrenia-bipolar Dichotomy

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J. Maltez ◽  
D. Dias ◽  
H. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Diagnostic Categories ◽  
Biologic Markers ◽  
Related Potentials

After decades of neuroscientific research and taxonomic endeavour in psychiatry the quest for biologic markers specific enough to accommodate nosologic categories has not succeeded. Yet, neurophysiology and neuroimaging have developed pwoerful tools to investigate brain function. An immense amount of data has been accumulated regarding normal and pathologic information processing, cognition, emotion and other domains. Some have been correlated with genes underpinning diseases and are candidate endophenotypes. These stand at an intermediate level between genes and phenotype. They encompass several kinds of dysfunctions or abnormalities in brain structure. Rather than matching to singular diagnostic categories, as we devise them today, the same endophenotype is usually shared by distinct pathologic entities. Assuming tha they reflect specif dysfunctions this raises critical questions regarding the DSM way of classifying mental disorders and to the understanding of the neurobiologic phenomena underlying them. It is the purpose of this presentation to discuss these questions and review some of the data, including our own, concerning event-related potentials endophenotypes of psychosis with special focus on the schizophrenia-bipolar dichotomy and present.

A Wider Eastern African Economic Union? Some Geographical Aspects

1968 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Economic Integration ◽  
Customs Union ◽  
The Past ◽  
Political Independence ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Economic Union

Economic integration in East Africa has been discussed throughout the past 50 years or more, although—until recently—only in terms of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Almost as soon as Kenya and Uganda became established as political entities, close economic links were established between them, and when British administration was extended to Tanganyika after 1918 that country was brought into close relationship with its two northern neighbours. Thus a customs union between Kenya and Uganda was established in 1917, and Tanganyika was gradually incorporated within it between 1922 and 1927. The links were strengthened as economic development advanced, and were formalised under the East Africa High Commission from 1948 onwards: so they became an important part of the inheritance of the three states as they gained political independence in the years 1961–1963.1

scholarly journals Nurturing talents and creativity in youth: Challenge to contemporary world

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-147
Author(s):  
Bosiljka Djordjevic ◽  
Slavica Maksic
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Gifted Children ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
The Past ◽  
Adequate Education ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Over Time

The paper reviews approaches to the development of talents and creativity using surveys communicated in the 1975-2005 period at world, European and regional scientific conferences on gifted children and youth. Methods of studying and treating the gifted over the past three decades were analyzed on the basis of data available in records, proceedings of papers and other publications of the mentioned conferences as well as of personal findings of the present paper?s authors who participated in some of those conferences. In addition to identifying the subjects that captured attention of researchers and practitioners in a certain period of time, an attempt was made to describe trends in studying them and those likely ones for future work. The results indicate that the most frequent subjects under study were problems facing conception and definition of giftedness, talents and creativity, instruments for identifying gifted individuals, and manners of providing adequate education for them. Over time there was an increase in the number of studies related to identifying specific personality traits of a gifted individual and his environment, critical for his development and achievement. It is noticeable that interest in gifted children and youth is growing all the time, involving not only researchers and teachers but parents, the gifted themselves and other important social groups and institutions. It is concluded that encouraging talents and creativity in youth is a challenge to contemporary world, which will determine its future.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION ON TRADING BEHAVIOR WITH PERSONALITY TRAITS AS MODERATION VARIABLE FOR STOCK TRADERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Ronaldo Susanto ◽  
Mariana Ing Malelak
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Trading Behavior ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Stock Traders

The development of investment in Indonesia has increased rapidly over the past few years. One of the key factors affecting stock traders' trading behavior is information. Information that was previously difficult to obtain by investors became easily obtained due to technological developments. In addition to information, the characteristics of traders also influence their trading behavior. The population used in this study is the entire citizen of Surabaya, and the sample of this study is stock traders who have a minimum of 1-year trading experience. Data analysis is done by using Partial Least Square with Smart PLS 3.0. The result of this study is that information has a significant effect on trading behavior, while neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness do not moderate the effect of information on trading behavior significantly.

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