Effects of Diazepam on a Belief-Updating Task

1989 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet De Wit ◽  
Robin M. Hogarth ◽  
Jonathan J. Koehler ◽  
Daniel J. Luchins
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Belief Updating ◽  
Initial Belief ◽  
New Information ◽  
A Minor ◽  
New Evidence

This study examined the effects of a minor tranquilizer, diazepam, on a cognitive task that involved the updating of beliefs. On this task, subjects are first asked to express their strength of belief in a hypothesis and then to update this on the basis of new evidence. Past research has shown that revision of beliefs can be affected by many variables including the strength with which the initial belief is held, whether new information is perceived as positive or negative vis-à-vis the hypothesis, and the order in which evidence is processed. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a tranquilizer, diazepam, would affect the updating of beliefs, and specifically whether it would dampen the extent to which people revise their opinions. 12 healthy subjects participated in four experimental sessions, in which they received diazepam (0.14 mg/kg) or placebo and completed an updating task in which they received information in either of two orders, positive-negative or negative-positive. In each session, subjects saw a different experimental stimulus determined by a Latin-square design, and also completed pre- and postdrug mood questionnaires. Analysis showed order of presentation induced a recency effect similar to that obtained in previous studies, and the diazepam produced significant tranquilizer-like effects on self-report questionnaires. However, the diazepam had no effect on the updating task. These findings indicate that previously reported order effects in the belief updating task are robust and unaffected by a drug that has known sedative and memory-impairing properties.

When Beliefs Face Reality: An Integrative Review of Belief Updating in Mental Health and Illness

2020 ◽  
pp. 174569162093149
Author(s):  
Tobias Kube ◽  
Liron Rozenkrantz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Societal Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Belief Updating ◽  
New Information ◽  
Health And Illness ◽  
New Evidence

Belief updating is a relatively nascent field of research that examines how people adjust their beliefs in light of new evidence. So far, belief updating has been investigated in partly unrelated lines of research from different psychological disciplines. In this article, we aim to integrate these disparate lines of research. After presenting some prominent theoretical frameworks and experimental designs that have been used for the study of belief updating, we review how healthy people and people with mental disorders update their beliefs after receiving new information that supports or challenges their views. Available evidence suggests that both healthy people and people with particular mental disorders are prone to certain biases when updating their beliefs, although the nature of the respective biases varies considerably and depends on several factors. Anomalies in belief updating are discussed in terms of both new insights into the psychopathology of various mental disorders and societal implications, such as irreconcilable political and societal controversies due to the failure to take information into account that disconfirms one’s own view. We conclude by proposing a novel integrative model of belief updating and derive directions for future research.

scholarly journals How Downward and Upward Comparisons on Facebook Influence Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissists’ Self-Esteem—A Priming Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Phillip Ozimek ◽  
Hans-Werner Bierhoff ◽  
Elke Rohmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
And Control

Past research showed that social networking sites represent perfect platforms to satisfy narcissistic needs. The present study aimed to investigate how grandiose (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) as well as social comparisons are associated with Facebook activity, which was measured with a self-report on three activity dimensions: Acting, Impressing, and Watching. In addition, the state self-esteem (SSE) was measured with respect to performance, social behavior, and appearance. One hundred and ten participants completed an online survey containing measures of SSE and Facebook activity and a priming procedure with three experimental conditions embedded in a social media context (upward comparison, downward comparison, and control group). Results indicated, as expected, that high VN was negatively associated with SSE on each subscale and the overall score. In addition, it was found that VN, but not GN, displayed positive associations with frequency of Facebook activities. Finally, it was proposed and confirmed that VN in interaction with the priming of downward comparisons negatively affected SSE. The conclusion drawn is that VN represents a key variable for the prediction of self-esteem as well as for the frequency of Facebook activity.

scholarly journals Lopinavir and Nelfinavir Induce the Accumulation of Crystalloid Lipid Inclusions within the Reservosomes of Trypanosoma cruzi and Inhibit Both Aspartyl-Type Peptidase and Cruzipain Activities Detected in These Crucial Organelles

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Leandro S. Sangenito ◽  
Miria G. Pereira ◽  
Thais Souto-Padron ◽  
Marta H. Branquinha ◽  
André L. S. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Lipid Inclusion ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
New Information ◽  
Lipid Inclusions ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Parasite Viability ◽  
Aspartyl Peptidases ◽  
New Evidence

Several research groups have explored the repositioning of human immunodeficiency virus aspartyl peptidase inhibitors (HIV-PIs) on opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, fungi and protozoa. In Trypanosoma cruzi, HIV-PIs have a high impact on parasite viability, and one of the main alterations promoted by this treatment is the imbalance in the parasite’s lipid metabolism. However, the reasons behind this phenomenon are unknown. In the present work, we observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the treatment of T. cruzi epimastigotes with the HIV-PIs lopinavir and nelfinavir induced a huge accumulation of crystalloid-shaped lipids within the reservosomes, most of them deforming these key organelles. As previously reported, those structures are characteristic of lipid inclusions formed mostly of cholesterol and cholesterol-esters. The fractionation of nontreated epimastigotes generated two distinct fractions enriched in reservosomes: one mostly composed of lipid inclusion-containing reservosomes (Fraction B1) and one where lipid inclusions were much less abundant (Fraction B2). Interestingly, the extract of Fraction B2 presented enzymatic activity related to aspartyl-type peptidases 3.5 times higher than that found in the extract obtained from Fraction B1. The cleavage of cathepsin D substrate by this class of peptidases was strongly impaired by pepstatin A, a prototypical aspartyl PI, and the HIV-PIs lopinavir and nelfinavir. In addition, both HIV-PIs also inhibited (to a lesser extent) the cruzipain activity present in reservosomes. Finally, our work provides new evidence concerning the presence and supposed participation of aspartyl peptidases in T. cruzi, even as it adds new information about the mechanisms behind the alterations promoted by lopinavir and nelfinavir in the protozoan.

scholarly journals Linking Phubbing Behavior to Self-Reported Attentional Failures and Media Multitasking

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Kayla S. Sansevere ◽  
Nathan Ward
Keyword(s):  
Technology Use ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Media Multitasking ◽  
Cognitive Errors ◽  
Personality Variables ◽  
Cognitive Framework ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Attentional Lapses ◽  
Use Behavior

Phubbing, or using a phone to snub another person, has been investigated through social and personality frameworks. Phubbing involves attending to and performing competing tasks, implying the involvement of attentional abilities. Yet, past research has not yet used a cognitive framework to establish a link between phubbing and attention. Using self-report data from a large online sample, we explored the associations between phubbing and everyday attentional failures. Phubbing was associated with difficulties in attentional shifting and distractibility, frequent attentional lapses, spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering, and attention-related cognitive errors. When examining these attention variables alongside several psychosocial and personality variables, attention-related cognitive errors acted as the biggest predictor of phubbing behavior. Phubbing was also positively correlated with media multitasking, which is a conceptually similar yet distinct technology use behavior. The results suggest that perceived everyday attentional failures are strongly associated with, and to an extent can predict, phubbing behavior, even more so than some social and personality variables. Technology has incorporated itself as a necessity, or at the very least a favored convenience, in most people’s lives. Characterizing technology multitasking behaviors from a variety of frameworks can help us better understand who is engaging in these behaviors and why.

Individual differences in information order effects: The importance of right-hemisphere access in belief updating

2014 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Jasper ◽  
J. Scott Kunzler ◽  
Eric C. Prichard ◽  
Stephen D. Christman
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Belief Updating ◽  
Information Order

scholarly journals Identifying the Links Between Trauma and Social Adjustment: Implications for More Effective Psychotherapy With Traumatized Youth

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayedhabibollah Ahmadi Forooshani ◽  
Kate Murray ◽  
Nigar Khawaja ◽  
Zahra Izadikhah
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Avoidance ◽  
Refugee Immigrants

Background: Past research has highlighted the role of trauma in social adjustment problems, but little is known about the underlying process. This is a barrier to developing effective interventions for social adjustment of traumatized individuals. The present study addressed this research gap through a cognitive model.Methods: A total of 604 young adults (aged 18–24; living in Australia) from different backgrounds (refugee, non-refugee immigrant, and Australian) were assessed through self-report questionnaires. The data were analyzed through path analysis and multivariate analysis of variance. Two path analyses were conducted separately for migrant (including non-refugee and refugee immigrants) and Australian groups.Results: Analyses indicated that cognitive avoidance and social problem solving can significantly mediate the relation between trauma and social adjustment (p < 0.05). The model explaining this process statistically fit the data (e.g., NFI, TLI, CFI > 0.95). According to the model, reacting to trauma by cognitive avoidance (i.e., chronic thought suppression and over-general autobiographical memory) can disturb the cognitive capacities that are required for social problem solving. Consequently, a lack of effective social problem solving significantly hinders social adjustment. There were no significant differences among the Australian, non-refugee immigrant and refugee participants on the dependent variables. Moreover, the hypothesized links between the variables was confirmed similarly for both migrant (including refugee and non-refugee immigrants) and Australian groups.Conclusion: The findings have important implications for interventions targeting the social adjustment of young individuals. We assert that overlooking the processes identified in this study, can hinder the improvement of social adjustment in young adults with a history of trauma. Recommendations for future research and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Lost and Found, Letters and Methods: Assessing Attitudes toward Chiropractic and Medical Care

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Kern ◽  
William H. Yeaton
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Potential Drop ◽  
Chiropractic Care ◽  
Replication Study ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Department Stores ◽  
Lost And Found

Attitudes toward traditional and chiropractic medicine were compared using Milgram's lost letter technique. A total of 192 letters were placed on the windshields of vehicles in parking lots at six restaurants and department stores in each of four quadrants of a medium-sized, Southeastern city. These letters were addressed to "Admissions" at either a fictitious Institute of Medicine or Institute of Chiropractic Care. Return addresses included either a male or a female name. Thus, those who found a lost letter were faced with the option of returning or not returning a letter from either a male or a female, addressed to an Institute of traditional or non-traditional medicine. After examining previous studies which had used the lost letter technique, numerous methodological improvements were implemented. For example, letters were randomly assigned to potential drop spots for each of 24 study locations (six study locations in each of four city quadrants), and a Latin square design was used to control for possible order effects in the four study conditions that were implemented. Nearly 65% of the letters (124 of 192) were returned. We found: 1) letters addressed to a fictitious Institute of Chiropractic Care were just as likely to be returned as those addressed to a fictitious Institute of Medicine; 2) letters with female return addresses were as likely to be returned as those with male return addresses; 3) there was no interaction between study conditions; 4) based on what was essentially a replication study, a comparison of the pattern of returns using the first and second cycle of lost letters (n = 96 for each cycle) revealed an equivalent pattern of no-difference findings. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v1i1_kern

scholarly journals An Autocatalytic Network Model of Conceptual Change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liane Gabora ◽  
Nicole Beckage
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Change ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Pretend Play ◽  
Conceptual Structure ◽  
Earth Model ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Abstract Thought ◽  
New Information ◽  
The Impact

Reflexively Autocatalytic Foodset-generated (RAF) networks have been used to model the origins of evolutionary processes, both biological (the origin of life) and cultural (the origin of cumulative innovation). The RAF approach tags conceptual shifts with their source, making it uniquely suited to modelling how new ideas grow out of currently available knowledge, studying order effects, and tracking conceptual trajectories within (and across) individuals. Using RAF networks, we develop a step-by-step process model of conceptual change (i.e., the process by which a child becomes an active participant in cultural evolution), focusing on childrens’ mental models of the shape of the earth. Using results from (Vosniadou & Brewer, 1992), we model different trajectories from the flat earth model to the spherical earth model, as well as the impact of other factors, such as pretend play, on cognitive development. As RAFs increase in size and number, they begin to merge and form a maxRAF that bridges previously compartmentalized knowledge. The expanding maxRAF constrains and enables the scaffolding of new conceptual structure. Once most conceptual structure is subsumed by the maxRAF, the child can reliably frame new knowledge and experiences in terms of previous knowledge and experiences, and engage in recursive representational redescription, or abstract thought, at which point the conceptual network becomes a self-organizing structure. The approach distinguishes between mental representations acquired through social learning or individual learning (of existing information), and mental representations obtained through abstract thought (resulting in the generation of new information). We suggest that individual differences in reliance on these information sources culminates in different kinds of conceptual networks and concomitant learning trajectories. These differences may be amplified by differences in the proclivity to spontaneously tailor one’s mode of thought to the situation one is in by modulating the degree of divergence (versus convergence), abstractness (versus concreteness), and context-specificity. We discuss a potential role for the approach in the development of an overarching framework that integrates evolutionary and developmental approaches to cognition.

Newton's financial misadventures in the South Sea Bubble

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Odlyzko
Keyword(s):  
The South ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
John Maynard Keynes ◽  
Isaac Newton ◽  
Market Rationality ◽  
New Information ◽  
Hard Evidence ◽  
South Sea ◽  
New Research ◽  
New Evidence

A very popular investment anecdote relates how Isaac Newton, after cashing in large early gains, staked his fortune on the success of the South Sea Company of 1720 and lost heavily in the ensuing crash. However, this tale is based on only a few items of hard evidence, some of which are consistently misquoted and misinterpreted. A superficially plausible contrarian argument has also been made that he did not lose much in that period, and John Maynard Keynes even claimed Newton successfully surmounted the South Sea Bubble. This paper presents extensive new evidence that while Newton was a successful investor before this event, the folk tale about his making large gains but then being drawn back into that mania and suffering large losses is almost certainly correct. It probably even understates the extent of his financial miscalculations. Incidental to the clarification of this prominent issue, a controversy between Dale et al . and Shea about an aspect of market rationality during that bubble is settled. Some new information is also presented about Thomas Guy, famous for making a fortune out of the Bubble that paid for the establishment of Guy's Hospital, and other investors. The work reported here suggests new research directions and perspectives on bubbles.

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