scholarly journals Rewarding behavior with a sweet food strengthens its valuation

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0242461
Author(s):  
Jan M. Bauer ◽  
Marina Schröder ◽  
Martina Vecchi ◽  
Tina Bake ◽  
Suzanne L. Dickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Reward ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sweet Food ◽  
Sweet Foods ◽  
The Common ◽  
Rewarding Behavior ◽  
Desirable Behavior

Sweet foods are commonly used as rewards for desirable behavior, specifically among children. This study examines whether such practice may contribute to reinforce the valuation of these foods. Two experiments were conducted, one with children, the other with rats. The first study, conducted with first graders (n = 214), shows that children who receive a food reward for performing a cognitive task subsequently value the food more compared to a control group who received the same food without performing any task. The second study, conducted on rats (n = 64), shows that rewarding with food also translates into higher calorie intake over a 24-hour period. These results suggest that the common practice of rewarding children with calorie-dense sweet foods is a plausible contributing factor to obesity and might therefore be ill advised.

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

Dispositional Properties of Metaphor

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam K. Fetterman ◽  
Brian P. Meier ◽  
Michael D. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Positive Affect ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Taste Preferences ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Prosocial Motivation ◽  
Sweet Food ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Sweet Foods ◽  
Dispositional Properties

Abstract. Metaphors often characterize prosocial actions and people as sweet. Three studies sought to explore whether conceptual metaphors of this type can provide insights into the prosocial trait of agreeableness and into daily life prosociality. Study 1 (n = 698) examined relationships between agreeableness and food taste preferences. Studies 2 (n = 66) and 3 (n = 132) utilized daily diary protocols. In Study 1, more agreeable people liked sweet foods to a greater extent. In Study 2, greater sweet food preferences predicted a stronger positive relationship between daily prosocial behaviors and positive affect, a pattern consistent with prosocial motivation. Finally, Study 3 found that daily prosocial feelings and behaviors varied positively with sweet food consumption in a manner that could not be ascribed to positive affect or self-control. Altogether, the findings encourage further efforts to extend conceptual metaphor theory to the domain of personality processes, in part by building on balance-related ideas.

In a Working Mood?

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Reinecke ◽  
Sabine Trepte
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mood Management ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Personal Media ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Subsequent Task

Abstract. This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of exposure to a computer game on arousal and subsequent task performance. After inducing a state of low arousal, participants were assigned to experimental or control conditions via self-selection. Members of the experimental group played a computer game for five minutes; subjects in the control group spent the same amount of time awaiting further instructions. Participants who were exposed to the computer game showed significantly higher levels of arousal and performed significantly better on a subsequent cognitive task. The pattern of results was not influenced by the participants' prior experience with the game. The findings indicate that mood-management processes associated with personal media use at the workplace go beyond the alteration of arousal and affect subsequent cognitive performance.

Motives of espionage against ones own country in the light of idiographic studies

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Michalak
Keyword(s):  
Common Sense ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
The Common

Motives of espionage against ones own country in the light of idiographic studies The money is perceived as the common denominator among people who have spied against their own country. This assumption is common sense and appears to be self-evident truth. But do we have any hard evidences to prove the validity of such a statement? What method could be applied to determine it? This article is a review of the motives behind one's resorting to spying activity which is a complex and multifarious process. I decided to present only the phenomenon of spying for another country. The studies on the motives behind taking up spying activity are idiographic in character. One of the basic methodological problems to be faced by the researchers of this problem is an inaccessibility of a control group.

scholarly journals How cognitive loads modulate the postural control of older women with low back pain?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Ge ◽  
Qiuhua Yu ◽  
Chuhuai Wang ◽  
Huanjie Huang ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Dual Tasks ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Arithmetic Task

Abstract Background The capacity of postural control is a key factor related to falling in older people, particularly in older women with low back pain (LBP). Cognitive involvement in postural control increases with age. However, most scholars have not considered different difficulty levels of cognitive loads when exploring the effects of cognition on postural control in older patients with LBP. The present study is to investigate how different levels of cognitive loads modulate postural control in older women with LBP. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Twenty older women with LBP were recruited into the LBP group, and 20 healthy older women without the history of LBP were recruited into the healthy control group. Balance parameters were computed to quantify postural control. All participants underwent the balance test, which required the participant to maintain stability during standing on a force platform with or without a concurrent cognitive task. The balance test included three levels of difficulties of posture tasks (eyes-open vs. eyes-closed vs. one-leg stance) and three cognitive tasks (without cognitive task vs. auditory arithmetic task vs. serial-7 s arithmetic task). Results A repeated-measure analysis of variance (3 postural tasks × 3 congnitive tasks× 2 groups) testing the effects of the different congnitive task levels on the performance in different postural conditions. Older women with LBP had worse postural control (as reflected by larger center of pressure (COP) parameters) than control group regardless of postural or cognitive difficulties. Compared with the single task, the COP parameters of participants with LBP were larger during dual tasks, even though the difficulty level of the cognitive task was low. Larger COP parameters were shown only if the difficulty level of the cognitive task was high in control group. Correlations between sway area/sway length and the number of falls were significant in dual tasks. Conclusion Our findings shed light on how cognitive loads modulate postural control for older women with LBP. Compared with control group, cognitive loads showed more disturbing effects on postural control in older women with LBP, which was associated with falling.

The Effect of the Gardens of Ideas on Achievement , the Skills of Information Processing Among Middle Schools Students in Mathematics

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 408-433
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Iq Test ◽  
Processing Measure ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of the research is to investigate the effect of idea gardens on the performance and information processing skills of high school students in mathematics. The research community represents the school's first graders, July 14th for girls. The research sample consisted of (70) male and female students. The number of students in the experimental group was (35) and the number of students in the control group was (35). The researcher found a relationship between the two in variables of IQ test, previous collection and life expectancy, measured in months, in information processing skills of the tribes. The researcher has prepared a collection of tests with (20) paragraphs. After being presented to a group of judges, the validity of the test was verified. The researcher also developed an information processing measure consisting of (20) paragraphs and extracted the obvious honesty by presenting it to a group of reviewers and extracting it in the form way to repeat the test (0.87). The researcher has achieved the following results: 1- There were statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group, which studied the gardens of ideas, compared with the control group, which studied the conventional collection method. 2- There are statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group studied using idea gardens versus members of the control group studied using conventional information processing Keywords: Gardens of Ideas, Collection, Mathematics

Correlation Between Intestinal Microflora and Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Elderly Patients with Sepsis

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1030-1037
Author(s):  
Hailing Yang ◽  
Xiaolin Zhang ◽  
Weijun Chen ◽  
Libo Shang ◽  
Bin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Intestinal Microflora ◽  
Sepsis Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
The Common ◽  
Wbc Count

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a key factor that leads to death in elderly patients with sepsis. Therefore, early prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction (GIDF) in elderly patients with sepsis is an important measure to prevent MODS occurrence. This research explores the correlation between intestinal microflora and GIDF in elderly patients with sepsis and provides ideas for the prevention and treatment of GIDF in elderly patients with sepsis. In this study, 152 patients with sepsis (122 patients with sepsis and GIDF) treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine from January to September 2019 were selected as the sepsis group and 100 elderly who had normal physical examination results were selected as the control group. The common intestinal microflora of the two groups was compared. Patients with sepsis and GIDF were treated as the GIDF group and the other patients with sepsis were treated as the non-GIDF group. The common intestinal microflora, gastrointestinal indicators, serum inflammatory factors, and immune function indices were compared between the two groups. Correlation analysis of the observed indices with statistical significance was carried out. The results showed 152 patients with sepsis and 122 patients with sepsis and GIDF; thus, the incidence of sepsis with GIDF was 80.26%. The total average score of sepsis with GIDF was 3.61±0.09. There was no statistically significant difference in GIDF scores of patients ages 65–75 and > 75 years old. The number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in elderly patients with sepsis was lower and the number of Escherichia coli was higher than in the control group. In elderly patients with sepsis, the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the GIDF group was lower and the number of E. coli was higher than in the non-GIDF group. White blood cell (WBC) count, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), gastrin (GAS), and diamine oxidase (DAO) in GIDF patients were higher and motilin (MOT), CIT (CIT), CD4+, and CD8+ were lower than in the non-GIDF group. WBC count, PCT, CRP, TNF-α, GAS, and DAO were negatively correlated with the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus but positively correlated with E. coli. MOT, CIT, CD4+, and CD8+ were positively correlated with the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus but negatively correlated with E. coli. There was a negative correlation between Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and GIDF score and a positive correlation between E. coli and GIDF score. Therefore, the change in the intestinal microflora in elderly patients with sepsis is related to GIDF.

scholarly journals Active Play in After-school Programmes: development of an intervention and description of a matched-pair cluster-randomised trial assessing physical activity play in after-school programmes

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e016585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsti Riiser ◽  
Sølvi Helseth ◽  
Hanna Ellingsen ◽  
Bjørg Fallang ◽  
Knut Løndal
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
After School ◽  
Cluster Randomised Trial ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Play ◽  
Cluster Randomised

IntroductionInterventions delivered in after-school programmes (ASPs) have the potential to become a means of ensuring adequate physical activity among schoolchildren. This requires a motivational climate, allowing for self-determined play. If trained, ASP staff may represent a valuable resource for supporting such play. Increasing knowledge and supportive skills among ASP staff may also potentially increase their motivation for work. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of the ‘Active Play in ASP’ intervention, which aims to promote physical activity among first graders attending ASP, and to present a protocol for a matched-pair cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the intervention.Methods and analysisInformed by experiences from practice, evidence-based knowledge and theory, the intervention was developed in a stepwise process including focus group meetings and a small-scale pilot test. The intervention contains a course programme for ASP staff to increase their skills in how to support physical activity through play. In a cluster randomised controlled trial, the ASPs will be matched and randomly allocated to receive the 7-month intervention or to a control group. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, after 7 and 19 months. First graders attending the ASPs included are eligible. The primary outcome will be accelerometer-determined minutes in moderate to vigorous physical activity in the ASP. The study uses a mixed methods approach including observations and interviews to provide rich descriptions of the concept of children's physical activity in ASP. Moreover, the trial will assess whether the ASP staff benefits from participation in the intervention in terms of increased work motivation. Lastly, process evaluations of programme fidelity, satisfaction and suggestions on improvement will be performed.Ethics and disseminationThe study is approved by the Data Protection Official for Research (reference no 46008). Results will be presented in conferences and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberClinical Trials (NCT02954614), pre-results.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Improve the Outcome of Secondary Post-Tonsillectomy Bleed? A 10-year Review

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irumee Pai ◽  
Stephen Lo ◽  
Satsuki Brown ◽  
Abbad G. Toma
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intravenous Antibiotics ◽  
The Common

Objective: To determine whether hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) mouthwash influences the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children. Study Design: Ten-year retrospective study of all children with secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Setting: Tertiary otolaryngology center. Results: Of the 156 patients, 59 received H2O2 and 97 did not. All patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The average rehospitalization duration due to hemorrhage was 1.7 days (H2O2 group) and 1.6 days (control group). In the H2O2 group, 8.5% required surgery, compared with 10.3% in the control group. Further hemorrhage episodes requiring readmission occurred in 3.4% of the H2O2 group and 3.1% of controls. There was no difference between the 2 groups in rehospitalization duration ( P = 0.49), rate of surgical intervention ( P = 0.85), and rate of readmission with further hemorrhage ( P = 0.92). Conclusion: Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash does not improve the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in pediatric patients. Significance: This study does not support the common practice of treating post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage with H2O2.

scholarly journals Occurrence of urogenital mycoplasmas in men with the common genitourinary diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominika Smolec ◽  
Alicja Ekiel ◽  
Piotr Kłuciński ◽  
Jan Kawecki
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Healthy Men ◽  
The Common ◽  
Estimate Prevalence ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Many serious and fatal infections with urogenital mycoplasmas in immunocompromised patients have been reported. M. genitalium is recognized as a cause of male urethritis and other common genitourinary diseases. The aim of the study was to estimate prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas which can cause complications in men with common genitourinary diseases. Study included 85 men with genitourinary tract carcinoma (n = 35), urolithiasis (n = 36), and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) (n = 14). The control group consisted of 50 healthy men. FVU (first void urine) samples were examined by PCR for the presence of urogenital mycoplasmas DNA. Occurrence of urogenital mycoplasmas was significantly more common in study group compared with control 24/85 (28.2%) and 7/50 (14%), respectively (p = 0.05). In men with urolithiasis, positive results for mycoplasmas DNA were significantly more frequent than in control: 33.3% vs. 14% (p < 0.05). In patients with urolithiasis DNA of U. urealyticum was most often found, while in the genitourinary carcinoma and BPH groups, U. parvum was more frequent. Incidence of M. fermentans was also significantly higher in the urolithiasis group vs. control (p = 0.03). A higher percentage of positive results for urogenital mycoplasma DNA in study group has been found. Further studies are required to confirm the role of urogenital mycoplasmas in the development of infectious complications among patients with urolithiasis, genitourinary carcinoma, and BPH.

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