Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Behaviorism”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,801 records · Page 100Linked to original sources

Similarities in siblings' experiences of neglectful parenting behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: Researchers and policymakers typically assume that within families, individual children are at an equivalent risk of neglectful behaviors. There is evidence that siblings experience differential parental treatment, and some research suggests that parents may maltreat their children to differing degrees. However, because neglect is typically a family-level construct, there may be a high correlation between siblings for this type of parental behavior. Therefore, our objectives were to investigate the extent to which siblings reported similar parental neglectful behaviors, whether sibling correlations for family-level types of neglectful behaviors were greater than those for child-specific forms of neglectful behaviors, whether high-risk groups differed from lower-risk groups in similarity for sibling reports for neglectful behaviors, and factors predicting differences in sibling reports of parental neglectful behaviors. METHOD: We assessed parental neglectful behaviors using child reports for 59 sibling pairs, representing both clinical and community samples. All children completed the Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviors Scale, which measures both child-specific and family-level neglectful parenting behaviors. RESULTS: Sibling intraclass correlations for neglectful behaviors were high and significant, and there were no differences in sibling correlations between clinical and community samples. Furthermore, there were no differences in correlations for family-level and child-specific items. Opposite sex siblings reported greater differences in parental neglectful behaviors, with boys reporting more neglectful behaviors than girls. CONCLUSIONS: Siblings report similar neglectful parenting behaviors, regardless of whether the family is high-risk or not, and whether neglectful behaviors are measured as a family-level or child-specific phenomenon.

Adolescent↗

Violence and homicidal behaviors in psychiatric disorders.

Our review evaluating the relationship between violent/homicidal behaviors and mental illness/psychiatric disorders used many different data including that assessing the prevalence of violent/homicidal behaviors in former psychiatric inpatients (just before hospitalization, during hospitalization, and after discharge) as outpatients and in community samples as well as evaluating the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders in people who actually engaged in violent/homicidal disorders (jail detainees, prison inmates, and community samples). Irrespective of which line of investigation, there was convincing evidence that violent/ homicidal behavior was associated significantly with mental illness. Although earlier investigations failed to control for important variables, such as age and sociodemographics, most studies reviewed in this article did control for these items, further underlining the association of violence and mental illness. The question of whether specific psychiatric diagnostic categories are associated with violent/homicidal behavior is less definite across the various studies reviewed. The presence of substance abuse and dependence and alcohol abuse and dependence as well as antisocial personality disorder are particularly associated with an increased risk of violent/homicidal behaviors. The risk for these latter behaviors in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders may appear somewhat greater than that for a general population but are not of the same magnitude of that for substance abuse or antisocial personality disorder. Interestingly, our outpatient study found that homicidal behaviors were not associated with any specific psychiatric diagnosis. Although understanding whether specific psychiatric diagnostic categories are more prone to violent behaviors may be of importance, most studies have been shortsighted regarding this evaluation. All the studies presented in this article except the ECA project, presented diagnostic data where either the presence of one psychiatric disorder did not preclude the diagnosis of another or assigned subjects/patients into the severest disorder of a predetermined hierarchy of diagnoses or only selected their principal/primary diagnosis. Thus, the effect of having a solitary psychiatric disorder (only one disorder present) as well as the effect of comorbidity per se on the relationship of psychiatric disorders and violent/homicidal behaviors were unexplored. Only the ECA study by Swanson and colleagues reported on the effect of comorbidity. As reviewed earlier in the article, Swanson et al found that comorbidity of psychiatric diagnostic categories further increased the risk of violent/ homicidal behaviors. In most cases, it was many more times than simply adding the rates of either diagnosis alone. Because more than 54% of respondents of the National Comorbidity Survey study who had one DSM-III-R diagnosis also had at least a second Axis I diagnosis, the association of violent/homicidal behaviors to mental illness may even be stronger than originally believed. Within the relationship of violent/homicidal behaviors and mental illness, this article suggests a number of particular risk factors. As just reviewed, substance/alcohol abuse and antisocial personality disorder as well as the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders are significant risk factors. Which particular comorbid illness increases the risk still needs further elaboration. Studies must continue to try to define and understand the relationship of violent/homicidal behaviors in mental illness. Although mental disorders per se are significantly associated with violent/homicidal behaviors, it is reasonable to believe that targeting certain subgroups of patients should be helpful. Probably the presence of psychotic symptoms is a significant risk factor in violent/ homicidal behaviors in the mentally ill. Only one of the studies reviewed in this article evaluated this issue. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Adult↗

Self-reported childhood sexual and physical abuse and adult HIV-risk behaviors and heavy drinking.

CONTEXT: Although studies of clinical samples have identified links between childhood abuse, especially sexual abuse, and adult health-risk behaviors, the generalizability of these findings to the population and the relative importance of different types of abuse in men and women are not known. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of self-reported adult HIV-risk behaviors and heavy drinking that is associated with self-reported childhood histories of physical and/or sexual abuse for men and women in a general-population sample, after controlling for age and education. A second objective is to determine whether, among women, early and chronic sexual abuse is associated with heightened risk compared to later or less extensive abuse. DESIGN: A population-based telephone survey, the 1997 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), asked a representative sample of adults whether they had ever been physically or sexually abused in childhood, and if so, the age at first occurrence and number of occurrences. The survey also asked about levels of alcohol use and, for those under 50 years, about HIV-risk behaviors. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand four hundred seventy-three English-speaking non-institutionalized civilian adults in Washington State. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported HIV-risk behaviors in the past year and heavy drinking in the past month. RESULTS: We identified associations between reported abuse history and each health-risk behavior that we examined. For women, early and chronic sexual abuse (occurring without nonsexual physical abuse) was associated with more than a 7-fold increase in HIV-risk behaviors (odds ratio [OR], 7.4; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 2.4 to 23.5); and any sexual abuse, combined with physical abuse, was associated with a 5-fold increase in these risk behaviors (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 2.2 to 11.5). For women, only combined sexual and physical abuse was associated with heavy drinking (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 2.2 to 16.9). Physical abuse alone was not associated with either health-risk behavior for women. For men, any sexual abuse was associated with an 8-fold increase in HIV-risk behaviors (OR, 7.9; 95% CI, 1.8 to 35.1). Physical abuse alone was associated with a 3-fold increase in risk of HIV-risk behaviors (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.9) and a similar increase in risk of heavy drinking (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.8 to 5.5). Although only 29% of the women and 19% of the men who were asked about HIV-risk behaviors reported any history of childhood abuse, these accounted for 51% and 50% of those reporting HIV-risk behaviors, respectively. For heavy drinking the corresponding figures were 25% of the women and 23% of the men reporting any abuse, who accounted for 45% and 33% of those reporting heavy drinking, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to prevent or remediate adult health-risk behaviors should consider the possibility of a history of childhood abuse, as one third to one half of those reporting HIV-risk behaviors or heavy drinking in a general-population survey also reported childhood abuse.

Adult↗

Etiology of dependence in older nursing home residents during morning care: the role of staff behavior.

Previous findings indicate that elderly nursing home residents' dependent and independent behavior are modifiable and thus partly a function of reinforcing environmental events. The present study was an attempt to explicate such functional relationships in terms of naturally occurring resident--staff interactions. An observational-operant design was implemented with a sample of 17 staff members and 36 elderly nursing home residents. Sequential observations of resident--staff interactions were recorded daily during morning care over a 23-day period. Frequency analysis of each behavior recorded revealed that of the 1,428 observed behaviors in the presence of staff, resident behaviors constituted 563 and staff behavior 865 of the total. Residents performed independent behaviors most frequently, whereas dependence-supportive behavior was the most frequent staff behavior. As to resident--staff interactions, sequential analyses showed that independent behavior by the elderly was followed more often by dependence-supportive than by independence-supportive behavior by the staff. Staff dependence-supportive behavior was the most frequent consequence for dependent behavior by the elderly. The sequential data, with regard to resident--staff interactions in morning-care situations, allow the inference that independent behavior in self-maintenance care is not maintained by staff behavior but perhaps by intrinsic reinforcers or reinforcing agents other than staff, whereas dependent behavior is directly maintained by staff reinforcement.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Autistic-spectrum disorders in Down syndrome: further delineation and distinction from other behavioral abnormalities.

The present study extends our previous work characterizing the behavioral features of autistic-spectrum disorder (ASD) in Down syndrome (DS) using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Autism Behavior Checklist (AutBehav). We examined which specific behaviors distinguished the behavioral phenotype of DS + ASD from other aberrant behavior disorders in DS, by determining the relative contribution of ABC and AutBehav subscales and items to the diagnosis of ASD. A total of 127 subjects (aged 2-24 years; mean age: 8.4 years; approximately 70% male), comprising: a cohort of 64 children and adolescents with DS and co-morbid ASD (DS + ASD), 19 with DS and stereotypic movement disorder (DS + SMD), 18 with DS and disruptive behaviors (DS + DB), and 26 with DS and no co-morbid behavior disorders (DS + none) were examined using the aforementioned measures of aberrant behavior. We found that subjects with DS + ASD showed the most severe aberrant behavior, especially stereotypy compared to DS + none and lethargy/social withdrawal and relating problems compared to DS + SMD. Specifically, relatively simple stereotypic behavior differentiated DS + ASD from DS + DB, whereas odd/bizarre stereotypic and anxious behavior characterized DS + ASD relative to DS + SMD and DS + none. Additionally, in a subset of subjects with DS + ASD and anxiety, social withdrawal was particularly pronounced. Overall, our findings indicate that a diagnosis of DS + ASD represents a distinctive set of aberrant behaviors marked by characteristic odd/bizarre stereotypic behavior, anxiety, and social withdrawal.

Adolescent↗

Contributions of behavioral primatology to veterinary science and comparative medicine.

Behavioral primatology is a subdiscipline of the research area referred to as primatology. Like primatology, behavioral primatology is an eclectic field of study made up of researchers from diverse basic disciplines having very different historical roots and employing extremely different methodologies biased by emphases and assumptions dictated by their histories. Psychologists, zoologists, anthropologists, and psychiatrists make up the majority of those currently active in behavioral primatology, but others, including those in veterinary science, are active in research in the area. Behavioral data can be useful to veterinary scientists and to those in comparative medicine and are interesting in their own right. Veterinarians and medical scientists may specialize in behavioral disorders. In addition, those not directly interested in behavior itself may still make use of behavioral indices of potential physiologic and morphologic abnormality. Often an animal may be inadvertently stressed by social and nonsocial environmental factors, and such stress effects may be first and best recognized by behavioral means. A recognition by those not in the behavioral sciences of the basic feral behavior of primates can go a long way toward prevention or alleviation of both behavioral and physical stress of primates in captivity. Studies of free-ranging but captive troops are sources of information almost as good as, and sometimes even better than, field studies. In addition, there is a growing realization that "natural experiments" on primates in zoos can be of value, especially since many species held in zoologic parks are those least well known in more traditional captive research settings. It must be recognized that the findings from research done on captive primates living in large field cages are not directly comparable to those derived from more directly invasive but more experimental laboratory settings. A comparative perspective on captive environments, as well as on species, is strongly recommended. Behavioral primatologists, and particularly psychologists, have long been interested in behavioral development in various species of primates. A recognition of the importance of the effects of early experience, of species differences in development, of sex differences in development, of differences in species-specific social structures and in the relative plasticity of these, and of differences in symptoms of behavioral abnormality can contribute to the arsenal of techniques that might be used to improve the well-being of the primates and can help in the selection of appropriate animal models of disorder in humans for those in comparative medicine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aggression↗

Postnatal protein malnutrition affects play behavior and other social interactions in juvenile rats.

The effects of postnatal protein malnutrition on juvenile social behaviors were investigated in male and female Wistar rats. During the lactation period (21 days), each litter (six male and two female pups) was provided with 16% (control) or 6% (low protein) casein diets. At weaning, the control group (W) continued to receive the 16% protein diet and the malnourished group was divided into two groups: one continuing to receive a 6% protein diet (malnourished group - M) and the other shifted to a 16% protein diet (previously malnourished group - PM). These conditions lasted until 38 days of age when the behavioral tests ended. To assess social interaction, pairs of rats of the same nutritional condition and same gender were placed in a familiar arena for 3 consecutive days. Playful social behavior (pin), nonplayful social behavior (anogenital sniff, walk-over, side-mount and allogroom) and nonsocial behavior (rear) were recorded in three 10-min sessions. Postnatal protein malnutrition significantly decreased playful social behavior, nonsocial behavior (rear) and nonplayful social behaviors such as side-mount and walk-over. Anogenital sniff and allogroom were increased by early malnutrition. Nutritional rehabilitation from weaning reversed the changes produced by protein malnutrition in nonplayful (side-mount, walk-over, anogenital sniff and allogroom) and nonsocial behaviors (rear) but increased playful social behavior (pin). Gender effects were observed only on side-mount (higher incidence in males) and walk-over (higher incidence in females) indicating that playful behavior and nonsocial behavior were not affected by sex. The present results suggest that behavioral differences described in adulthood may result from changes in social behaviors of juvenile rats induced by early protein malnutrition.

Animals↗

The neurobiology of social play behavior in rats.

Social play behavior is one of the earliest forms of non-mother-directed social behavior appearing in ontogeny in mammalian species. During the last century, there has been a lot of debate on the significance of social play behavior, but behavioral studies have indicated that social play behavior is a separate and relevant category of behavior. The present review provides a comprehensive survey of studies on the neurobiology of social play behavior. Evidence is presented that opioid and dopamine systems play a role in the reward aspect of social play behavior. The role of cholinergic, noradrenergic and opioid systems in attentional processes underlying the generation of social play behavior and the involvement of androgens in the sexual differentiation of social play behavior in rats is summarized. It is concluded that there is not only behavioral, but also neurobiological evidence to suggest that social play behavior represents a separate category of behavior, instead of a precursor for adult social, sexual or aggressive behavior.

Animals↗

Health-compromising behaviors among Vietnamese adolescents: the role of education and extracurricular activities.

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors among a cohort of Vietnamese adolescents in California; to examine the relationship between these behaviors and school-related variables (school performance, educational risk behaviors, higher-education aspirations, and participation in extracurricular activities); and to assess the differences that may exist between males and females with regard to these factors. METHODS: We conducted telephone interviews with 783 Vietnamese adolescents, aged 12-17 years, recruited through telephone listings from four California counties where large Vietnamese populations reside: San Francisco, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, and Orange. Of the 783 completed interviews, 60.8% were conducted in English and 39.2% in Vietnamese. The main outcome measure is a health risk behavior scale that includes adolescents' reports of ever smoking a cigarette, sedentary vs. active lifestyle, consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of foods high in fat, ever drinking alcohol, and ever engaging in sexual behavior. Multiple regression analyses were employed to estimate the association among the demographic variables, acculturation, school performance, aspirations, extracurricular activities, and the overall health risk. RESULTS: Females were significantly more sedentary than males. Over one-quarter (29%) of the females reported not having participated in vigorous physical activity on 3 or more days per week, compared with just 18% of the males. Most adolescents reported they had never tried cigarettes (84%), never used alcohol (77%), and never had sex (97%). Males were more likely than females to report a higher frequency of experimentation with smoking and drinking. Overall, school performance and participation in extracurricular activities were significantly related to the health risk behavior scale. Adolescents who demonstrated at least one educational risk (ever skipped school or ever sent out of the classroom) were more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. Also, older and more acculturated adolescents were at increased risk of engaging in health-compromising behaviors. Analysis by gender revealed that the variables age, educational risk, and chance of attending college were all related to health risk behavior for both males and females. Among the boys, those who reported achieving an average grade of B or better had a decreased risk of engaging in health-compromising behaviors; however, neither extracurricular activities nor acculturation was related to health-compromising behaviors in boys. Among the girls, the reverse was true: lack of participation in extracurricular activities was related to health-compromising behaviors, whereas grades were not a significant risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Among sampled Vietnamese adolescents in California, health risk behaviors are common and inversely related to some school performance indicators. Using these indicators to identify high-risk groups could allow targeted educational programs or interventions for the mitigation of health-compromising behaviors.

Acculturation↗

Risky behavior and risk in adolescents with IDDM.

PURPOSE: To determine: (1) the frequency of risky behaviors (alcohol and other drug use, smoking cigarettes, smokeless tobacco use, and unprotected intercourse); (2) the perception of general risks and diabetes-related risks from risky behaviors; (3) if perception of risk is related to engaging in risky behaviors; and (4) if perception of general risks and diabetes-related risks are influenced by age, gender, or race in adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Decreasing risky behaviors in youth with IDDM is important because of their increased vulnerability to specific disease related physiologic and pathologic changes. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. Data on risky behavior and perception of risk were obtained by self-report during a regularly scheduled clinic visit. One hundred and fifty-five adolescents between ages of 10-20 years participated. Correlational and student's t-test analyses were used to test relationships and group differences (age, race, gender). RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of the sample reported alcohol use, 34% reported smoking cigarettes, 8% reported smokeless tobacco use, 10% reported drug use, and 29% reported unprotected intercourse. Perception of risk to peers from these behaviors was significantly higher (t = 8.1, df 153; p < .001) than risk to self. Females reported significantly lower (t = 3.08, df 52; p < .002) risk to self than males. There was no difference in perception of risk between youth who reported participating in risky behaviors (N = 38%) and those who did not (62%). Not surprisingly, the frequency of risky behavior increased with age (F = 15.46; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to community samples of middle school children, our sample had lower rates for most risky behaviors. As with community samples, the physical risks were known and perceived to be higher for peers than self. Perception of risk was not related to self-reports of risky behaviors. The lower rate of risky behaviors might reflect the success of educational efforts directed toward diabetes management or may be due to later initiation of behaviors, especially if personal social development is delayed. Additional research is indicated in order to understand the timing and trajectory of risky behavior and whether or not perception of risk deters youth with IDDM from engaging in risky behavior.

Adolescent↗

Applied behavior management and acquired brain injury: approaches and assessment.

Individuals who have acquired brain injury (ABI) may express themselves through the use of challenging behaviors, such as aggression, withdrawal, disinhibition, and self-destructive behaviors. This article describes the effectiveness of behavior interventions derived from the assessment of behavior in a community-based setting. The premise is that behavior, no matter how difficult, has function, purpose, and meaning for the individual. A therapeutic model of behavior assessment is presented that bases its strength on behavior assessment and well-trained staff. A well-formulated behavior management plan is developed, reinforcing alternative behaviors teaching skills, and reducing unwanted behaviors. Through the use of data collection methods, the treatment team identifies variables related to unwanted behavior and outcomes of consequences as they relate to the behavior. Illustrated through a case study, the behavioral treatment model is defined through behavior identification, initial assessments, treatment approaches, and tracking outcomes.

Aggression↗

Ecological constraints and the evolution of hormone-behavior interrelationships.

Vertebrates show a diverse array of social behaviors. Equally complex are the mechanisms by which these behavioral patterns are regulated by hormones and the effects of behavioral interactions on hormone secretion. Nonetheless, comparative field and laboratory experiments indicate that general underlying themes, including mechanisms, may exist. For example, comparative studies in birds reveal that testosterone activates a type of aggression, territorial behavior, in those species that are territorial only during the breeding season. Territoriality at other times appears to be independent of sex steroid control, although qualitatively and quantitatively the behavior appears identical. Similarly, formation of pair bonds appears to be complex. In some populations such bonds are sexual, whereas in others they appear to be alliances possibly for joint defense of a territory. In cooperative groups of birds, pair bonds and alliances may exist simultaneously. Testosterone appears to be important for activation of the courtship behavior that leads to formations to sexual pair bonds. However, many investigations indicate that pair bonds in nonsexual contexts are not regulated by testosterone. Hormonal mechanisms underlying the establishment of alliances (if any) remain unknown. Clearly, these complex behavioral patterns due to seasonal changes and variation in context pose important questions for control mechanisms. One obvious question is, why this diversity in control mechanisms? It appears that there are evolutionary "costs" to high circulating levels of testosterone. They can be energetic costs or may involve increased predation risk or reduced survival after wounding. In males that express parental behavior, high circulating testosterone levels interfere with parental care, resulting in reduced reproductive success. Thus, regulation of testosterone secretion must balance the need to compete with other males as well as provide parental care. High circulating levels of testosterone for prolonged periods are also known to suppress the immune system. This latter effect may have profound implications for the development of androgen-dependent secondary sex characteristics that have evolved through sexual selection. There are several ways to avoid potential "costs" of hormone secretion at inappropriate times. A hormone may be metabolized at its target cell to another form that then binds to a different receptor (e.g., aromatization of testosterone to estradiol). Also receptors may be downregulated in tissues that would otherwise respond inappropriately in a specific life history state. On the other hand, multiple hormone mechanisms may have evolved to activate behavioral traits at the right time and in the correct context. When a behavioral trait is expressed throughout the life cycle, hormones may potentially deactivate behavior for short periods. With detailed investigations of organisms in their natural environment we can determine the potential ecological costs underlying hormone-behavior interactions that, in turn, shed light on their evolution. These data also indicate a number of problems for hormonal control mechanisms, but also indicate trends, alternatives, and hopefully in the future a more complete understanding of common mechanisms underlying behavioral endocrinology at the cell and molecular level. Only then will we be able to predict when and where specific mechanisms of hormone-behavior interactions operate and how they evolved.

Animals↗

Agonistic behavior in food animals: review of research and techniques.

One type of social behavior--agonistic behavior--is commonly observed among food animals. Agonistic behaviors are those behaviors which cause, threaten to cause or seek to reduce physical damage. Agonistic behavior is comprised of threats, aggression and submission. While any one of these divisions of agonistic behavior may be observed alone, they usually are found, in sequence, from the start to the end of an interaction. Food animals may show interspecific or intraspecific agonistic behaviors. Interspecific agonistic behavior has not been extensively studied but it is agriculturally important because farm workers may become injured or killed by aggressive food animals. Types of intraspecific agonistic behavior are: when animals are brought together, intermale fighting, resource defense, inter-gender fighting and aberrant aggression. Common pitfalls in research on agonistic behavior among food animals include too few replicates to detect a biological difference, the assumptions of the analysis are not met, only aggression and not submission or other agonistic behavior components are measured, incomplete description of the behaviors are reported and a complete, quantitive ethogram did not form the basis for selecting behavioral measures.

Aggression↗

Amphetamine stereotypy: the influence of environmental factors and prepotent behavioral patterns on its topography and development.

This report describes a series of experiments, all of which demonstrate a strong contribution of the behavioral pattern manifested at the time of initial amphetamine injection to the topography and development of the stereotypy that develops with chronic amphetamine intoxication. These initial behavioral patterns reflect (i) learned behaviors, (ii) species-specific behaviors, (iii) behaviors associated with amphetamine arousal, and (iv) novel behaviors reflecting unique environmental circumstances prevailing at the time of administration. In an experiment using eight dogs administered amphetamine in a situation which allowed interaction between the animals, the behavioral stereotypies that developed were comprised of the social interaction patterns ongoing at the time of initial drug effects. Experiments with rats have demonstrated that the configuration of the enclosure in which they are injected influences the initial behavioral reactions to amphetamine and thus modifies the stereotypy. In experiments with cats pressing a lever to self-administer amphetamine, investigatory behavior at the lever-press operandi becomes incorporated as does the learned behavior response into the stereotypy. The behavioral patterns originally associated with amphetamine arousal eventually supersede the learned response component of the stereotypy. Finally, monkeys incorporate components of the initial behaviors associated with amphetamine administration into a wider range of stereotype patterns over months of chronic intoxication, and eventually the stereotypy may evolve into a specific dyskinesia involving movements of the original behavioral component.

Animals↗

Longitudinal assessment of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in fragile X males: growth, development, and profiles.

As young fully mutated fragile X [fra(X)] males age, cognitive levels (IQ scores) and adaptive behavior levels (DQ scores) decline. Given the variable behavioral profiles reported previously, we wondered whether changes in specific attributes of adaptive behavior are related to declines in composite adaptive behavior levels. We also examined maladaptive behavior to determine if changes are related to age. Therefore, we evaluated three areas of adaptive behavior, as well as maladaptive behavior, in 28 fully mutated fra(X) males, ages 4-14 years. To develop a profile of adaptive behavior, we analyzed nine subscale scores from the Vine-land Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS). To assess maladaptive behavior, we graded part I of the VABS Maladaptive Behavior Scale. Subjects were sorted into three age cohorts, according to their initial test age: younger than 6 years; 6 to 9 years; older than 9 years. Results indicate that, in all age groups, the communications domain is the most severely impacted compared with either the socialization domain or daily living skills and that, in all age groups, the socialization domain is a relative strength compared with either the communications domain or daily living skills. The youngest cohort manifested significant increases in age-equivalent community living skills. Significant differences in age-equivalent scores between cohorts were observed in written language and play skills. Maladaptive behavior scores were available from cross-sectional data only. Twenty males (74%) showed significantly higher maladaptive scores than expected from other children their age. Our data analysis also revealed a moderate and significant negative correlation between maladaptive behavior levels and age (r = -0.54; P < 0.01). Curiously, adaptive and maladaptive behaviors did not correlate with each other.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Phencyclidine-induced abnormal behaviors in rats as measured by the hole board apparatus.

RATIONALE: Phencyclidine (PCP) and methamphetamine (MAP) are known as psychotomimetic agents. Both agents produce behavioral alterations in animals. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the difference in behavioral alterations in rats induced by these two psychotomimetic agents using the hole board apparatus (HBA). In addition, mechanisms underlying PCP-induced behavioral changes were also investigated. METHODS: After the administration of PCP (1-4 mg/kg SC) or MAP (1-4 mg/kg SC), locomotor activity and dipping behavior were assessed using HBA. Effect of selective NMDA antagonists, (+)MK801 and 3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), on rat behaviors were also assessed. The effects of D-alanine (D-Ala), a coagonist of NMDA receptors, or neuroleptics, haloperidol, clozapine and risperidone, on PCP-induced behavioral changes were investigated. RESULTS: PCP increased locomotor activity and decreased exploratory behaviors of rats in HBA. On the other hand, MAP increased locomotor activity but did not decrease exploratory behaviors. (+)MK-801 produced hyperactivity as well as decreased exploratory behaviors, eliciting behavioral changes very similar to those of PCP. CPP decreased the exploratory behavior but failed to produce hyperactivity. D-Ala attenuated both behavioral changes induced by PCP. Three neuroleptics tested here inhibited hyperactivity but did not attenuate decreases in exploratory behavior. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PCP-induced decrease in exploratory behavior are attributable to antagonism of NMDA receptors and may not involve dopaminergic transmission via D2 receptors.

Alanine↗

Behavior of patients with lung cancer: description and associations with oncologic and pain variables.

Although reflexes are recognized as protective responses to noxious stimuli, less is known about voluntary behavioral responses to cancer pain, which could provide clinicians with important diagnostic and therapeutic information. Forty-five patients with lung cancer were studied in their homes on 2 occasions to identify pain behaviors and to examine relationships between behaviors and selected variables. Patients completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Visual Analogue scale (VAS). Using a videotape observation method, patients sat, stood, walked, and reclined for 10 min. Videotapes were scored using 5 position-related and 31 pain-related behavior definitions. Within 3 days scored behaviors were described to patients who reported whether each scored behavior was performed: to express pain; because pain prevented usual behavior; to control pain; or as a habit. Patients reported that pain was controlled by 42 different behaviors; the number of different pain-reduction behaviors was correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.44) and pain quality (r = 0.64). Simultaneous multiple regression indicated that length of time pain was experienced, number of pain sites, pain quality, and pain intensity accounted for 41% of the variance in the number of pain control behaviors. None of the taped behaviors was reported as performed to express pain, and few of the patients reported that pain prevented behavior during the video session. Results clarify the pain-behavior construct, provide insight about the multidimensional nature of lung cancer pain, and suggest directions for behavioral interventions to augment pharmacological therapy for lung cancer pain.

Adult↗

Resting behaviors of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

In order to specify the resting behaviors in captive bottlenose dolphin, we quantitatively analyzed behavior of 16 dolphins in three aquariums in Japan. We observed their behaviors in the low-activity time (0 a.m.-3 a.m.), assuming that the resting behaviors would be most prominent and abundant at this time. We analyzed these behaviors based on the data of their diurnal activity rhythm that we have clarified by measuring swimming speed and breath frequency. The behavior patterns characteristic to the low-activity time could be categorized into the following three types: "bottom-rest" characterized by long immobile stay on the tank bottom, "surface-rest" characterized by long immobile stay at the water surface, and "swim-rest" characterized by slow circle-swim near the bottom along a fixed trajectory. During these behaviors, breath frequency was significantly lower than the daily mean and at least one eye tended to be closed. These three behaviors accounted for 86.6% of the total observation time in the low-activity time. The resting behaviors were often observed even in the high-activity time (0 p.m.-4 p.m.); these three behaviors accounted for 38.5% of the total observation time in the high-activity time. In swim-rest, frequency of sound emission was significantly lower than that of other behaviors with high-speed swimming, and both eyes or one eye, especially the eye facing the inner side of the swimming circle tended to be closed. The eye condition and the periodical change of circle-swim direction or position-exchange observed during swim-rest suggest a relation between this behavior and unihemispheric sleep. The change in the resting behavior observed in the dolphins under nervous situations suggests that the dolphins flexibly change the type and the quantity of the resting behaviors according to the situation.

Activity Cycles↗

Refine your search to explore more results.