Investigating the role of group-based morality in extreme behavioral expressions of prejudice

Understanding motivations underlying acts of hatred are essential for developing strategies to prevent such extreme behavioral expressions of prejudice (EBEPs) against marginalized groups. In this work, we investigate the motivations underlying EBEPs as a function of moral values. Specifically, we propose EBEPs may often be best understood as morally motivated behaviors grounded in people’s moral values and perceptions of moral violations. As evidence, we report five studies that integrate spatial modeling and experimental methods to investigate the relationship between moral values and EBEPs. Our results, from these U.S. based studies, suggest that moral values oriented around group preservation are predictive of the county-level prevalence of hate groups and associated with the belief that extreme behavioral expressions of prejudice against marginalized groups are justified. Additional analyses suggest that the association between group-based moral values and EBEPs against outgroups can be partly explained by the belief that these groups have done something morally wrong.

Evaluation of the Attitudes and Confidence of Veterinary Undergraduates toward Working with Cats in the Veterinary Hospital Environment

An understanding of feline behavior is required to successfully handle cats in the hospital environment and avoid triggering escalation to fear-aggression due to heightened anxiety. Some veterinary students appear to misinterpret feline behavioral cues, resulting in frustration and poor success when performing basic handling. This article investigates the following in regard to veterinary students and feline handling: (a) attitudes toward working with feline patients in the hospital environment; (b) experience of working with feline patients; (c) satisfaction in acquisition of feline handling and examination skills; and, (d) confidence in feline handling skills; and to explore influencing factors. An electronic questionnaire was circulated to 4th and final year veterinary students (May 2012) and final year students (June 2013) for anonymous voluntary completion. 173/293 students completed the questionnaire. Of final year respondents, 87/115 (75.7%) indicated that they enjoy interacting with cats in veterinary hospitals; 95/115 (82.6%) indicated that they were satisfied with their cat handling skills; 105/115 (91.3%) felt confident handling quiet and wriggly cats; significantly fewer 63/115 (54.8%) felt confident handling unpredictable cats ( p < 0.05). Factors significantly affecting confidence in handling unpredictable cats included: frequency of examination practice during extra-mural studies ( p < 0.05), enjoyment of interacting with cats in veterinary hospitals ( p < 0.05), self-perceived understanding of feline behavior ( p < 0.05), self-perceived ability to interpret cats’ behavioral expressions ( p < 0.05), satisfaction with cat handling skills ( p < 0.05) and perception of feline versus canine handling ability ( p < 0.05).

Unmet Needs and Behavioral Expressions: The Perspective of Individuals with Mild to Moderate Dementia

Research examining the illness experience from the perspective of individuals with dementia (IWDs) has gained increased attention. Previous studies suggest many IWDs experience unmet needs and behaviors that can impact their well-being. Most research has assessed these constructs using caregiver proxy-reports, resulting in underestimation of the amount and type of unmet needs. Additionally, no published studies have assessed self-reported behavioral expressions. As part of a larger study conducted in a memory care unit, the current pilot study examined the reliability of these measures along with examining how IWD’s experienced unmet needs, behaviors, and behavioral distress. Results found that individuals with mild to moderate dementia (n=12) were able to provide reliable self-report data about their own unmet needs (∝=.96), unmet need-related distress (∝=.98), and behavioral expressions (∝=.91). Nearly all participants identified at least one unmet need (74.8%). The highest reported unmet needs concerned health information (75.0%) and findings/arranging services (41.7%). The least reported unmet needs concerned daily living activities (16.7%) and legal/financial services (33.2%). The highest unmet needs related-distress concerned emotional support (41.7%) and the least distressing concerned daily living activities (16.7%). The most frequently reported behaviors included agitation (66.7%) and complaining/criticizing things (58.3%) while the least reported behaviors were refusing to be left alone (8.3%) and yelling/swearing (8.3%). The highest behavioral distress reported was agitation (58.3%) while the least was wandering (8.3%). Discussion will highlight how these results fit within current literature, recommendations for future research in exploring these constructs using self-report methodology, and how well-being outcomes may be impacted.

The Distinctive Constitution of Feeling Hurt

What is the nature of feeling hurt? This question is answered by systematically reviewing and integrating theories and empirical findings on feeling hurt using Lazarus’ theory of emotion. Following this approach, feeling hurt is constituted by a primary appraisal of an illegitimate devaluation and by a secondary appraisal of low controllability. This appraisal pattern activates an action tendency to withdraw from an interaction. This theory leads to several hypotheses for the appraisal (e.g., that an increase in appraisals of controllability should turn hurt into anger) on facial, bodily, and behavioral expressions as well as on the communicative function of feeling hurt. Furthermore, important conceptual distinctions between a broad and a narrow concept of feeling hurt as well as between feeling hurt as an emotion and a long-term emotional episode of hurt are introduced. Finally, feeling hurt is compared with humiliation, shame, guilt, disappointment, sadness, and anger.

DEMENTIA CARE FOR RESIDENTS IN ASSISTED LIVING: PERSPECTIVES OF STAFF RESPONDING TO BEHAVIORAL EXPRESSIONS

Background: An estimated 42% of persons who live in assisted living (AL) have dementia. The majority of these individuals express behaviors (such as agitation, aggression, and wandering) that indicate a mismatch between their ability to cope and demands in the social and physical environment. In some cases, AL staff are able to successfully address those behaviors and in other cases they are not. This study explores behavioral expressions of persons with dementia residing in AL, strategies used to address those behaviors, and residents’ behavioral results, as reported by 251 AL healthcare supervisors across seven states. We also examine what differentiates situations deemed successful from situations that were not successful. Methods: Qualitative interviews conducted with healthcare supervisors revealed cases of successful and unsuccessful strategies for addressing severe/disruptive behavioral expressions of persons with dementia residing in AL. During initial analysis, a data-driven conceptual model was developed to identify common structural domains within and across responses, which ranged from recognizing antecedents to final discharge from the AL community. Additionally, content analysis was applied to identify themes. Results: A minority (&lt;5%) of reports indicated that staff recognized antecedents to behaviors, or noted including residents’ families in addressing behaviors. The majority of both successful and unsuccessful cases referenced the use of medications to address behaviors, and a notable proportion (10%) referenced professional psychiatric assessment. Discussion: Findings suggest the benefit of helping staff identify antecedents of behavioral expressions, and the important role of psychiatric assessment for AL residents who experience agitation, aggression, and similar behaviors.