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PubMed1988

Self-efficacy and perceived control: cognitive mediators of pain tolerance.

The cold-pressor task was used with 102 female undergraduates in 2 experiments to determine (a) whether self-efficacy has validity as a true causal determinant of behavior change or is a correlate of change that has already occurred and (b) how perceptions of control and self-efficacy interact to determine choice behavior, persistence, and the impact of an aversive stimulus. Results of Experiment 1 indicate that self-efficacy expectations affected performance beyond what would have been expected from past performance alone. Changes in self-efficacy expectations predicted changes in cold-pressor tolerance. These findings suggest that self-efficacy expectations can be causal determinants of behavior in an aversive situation. Results of Experiment 2 indicate that self-efficacy was separable from control and that performance was best if both high levels of perceived control and self-efficacy were present. These findings support the notion that self-efficacy expectations can mediate the desirability of providing control, in that those who benefit most from control are those who are most confident they can exercise it.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Role modeling: an opportunity for the health education specialist.

It is the responsibility of the profession to determine what is right, reasonable, and ethical health education practice. Opportunities within the profession abound to deliberate about the responsibility of health education specialists to role model positive health behaviors. Davis summarized the espoused perspectives nicely: We owe it to our profession and to our students to personally travel as far on the wellness continuum as behavioral choices will permit.... Health educators do have a special responsibility to be positive health role models by fulfilling their health potential and modeling the healthiest behaviors of which they are capable. All health educators need to accept for themselves the responsibilities that we assign to others.

Education, Professional↗
PubMed2005

Behavioral perspectives on the neuroscience of drug addiction.

Neuroscientific approaches to drug addiction traditionally have been based on the premise that addiction is a process that results from brain changes that in turn result from chronic administration of drugs of abuse. An alternative approach views drug addiction as a behavioral disorder in which drugs function as preeminent reinforcers. Although there is a fundamental discrepancy between these two approaches, the emerging neuroscience of reinforcement and choice behavior eventually may shed light on the brain mechanisms involved in excessive drug use. Behavioral scientists could assist in this understanding by devoting more attention to the assessment of differences in the reinforcing strength of drugs and by attempting to develop and validate behavioral models of addiction.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[The neuroanatomy of motivation in man].

To relate motivation, a psychological concept, to a neurobiological substrate requires that this concept should be translated in operations relevant at the biological level. The term of motivation includes mental elementary processes decoding the emotional value of a stimulus (endogenous or exogenous) and integrating it into the elaboration, control and execution of goal-directed behaviors in order to ensure the maintenance of homeostasis, the well-being and survival of the individual and the species. Thus, in experimental condition, responses to aversive or appetitive situations are the classical markers of motivation. Consequently, the cerebral network of motivation particularly relates to the limbic system, i.e., the amygdala, the orbital and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulum and the ventral striatum. Within this network, it is possible to distinguish: on one part structures such as the orbital and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which are essential for the highest level of adaptive responses, allowing the individual to decode the variations of the emotional contingencies in real time, to integrate them into the behavior, and to maintain a behavioral choice during a long course, regardless of endogenous or environmental constraints; on the other part structures like the amygdala allow to build stable and invariants behaviors, that can be automatically activated and are essential for survival and avoidance of noxious situations.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Methylphenidate administration to adolescent rats determines plastic changes on reward-related behavior and striatal gene expression.

Administration of methylphenidate (MPH, Ritalin) to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an elective therapy, but raises concerns for public health, due to possible persistent neurobehavioral alterations. Wistar adolescent rats (30 to 46 day old) were administered MPH or saline (SAL) for 16 days, and tested for reward-related and motivational-choice behaviors. When tested in adulthood in a drug-free state, MPH-pretreated animals showed increased choice flexibility and economical efficiency, as well as a dissociation between dampened place conditioning and more marked locomotor sensitization induced by cocaine, compared to SAL-pretreated controls. The striatal complex, a core component of the natural reward system, was collected both at the end of the MPH treatment and in adulthood. Genome-wide expression profiling, followed by RT-PCR validation on independent samples, showed that three members of the postsynaptic-density family and five neurotransmitter receptors were upregulated in the adolescent striatum after subchronic MPH administration. Interestingly, only genes for the kainate 2 subunit of ionotropic glutamate receptor (Grik2, also known as KA2) and the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 7 (Htr7) (but not GABA(A) subunits and adrenergic receptor alpha1b) were still upregulated in adulthood. cAMP responsive element-binding protein and Homer 1a transcripts were modulated only as a long-term effect. In summary, our data indicate short-term changes in neural plasticity, suggested by modulation of expression of key genes, and functional changes in striatal circuits. These modifications might in turn trigger enduring changes responsible for the adult neurobehavioral profile, that is, altered processing of incentive values and a modified flexibility/habit balance.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Emergence of frequency-dependent cooperative strategies in iterated social dilemma: an experimental study].

Previous formal work on iterated social dilemma has shown that the strategy prescribing one to cooperate if m or more others cooperated in the previous round and defect otherwise, loses their effectiveness as the group size increases. The only reciprocal strategy formally proved to be effective in an N-person situation is "trigger strategy" (Friedman, 1986). This strategy presumes that people set the threshold for cooperation, m, at its maximum, namely N-1: all members other than self. This study investigated whether people's choice behavior in iterated social dilemma approximated such a strategy. In groups of seven, participants played a social dilemma game repeatedly. They were provided with complete information regarding others' choices in the three preceding rounds, when making a choice in the current round. Results indicated that participants became more reciprocal as the game progressed, responding more sensitively to how many others cooperated in the previous round. Furthermore, the participants used a strategy in the game that were more lenient for reciprocation, with lower threshold for cooperation, than trigger strategy. Implications of current findings and some future directions were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Detection of cholinergic mediation of behavior in 7-, 9-, and 12-day old rat pups.

A training procedure that permitted infant rats (7, 9, and 12 days old) to acquire a T maze discrimination to escape footshock (Experimental 1) was used to study the effects of the cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine hydrobromide (0, 0.2 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg) (Experiment 2). These results indicated that (1) Scopolamine had no effect on T maze choice behavior, unlike previous results for 15- and 23-day old rats, but (2) scopolamine did increase latency to choice in the discrimination task at all ages, an effect previously seen in 15-day old animals, but opposite that seen after scopolamine administration to 23-day old animals or adults. This "paradoxical" effect of scopolamine on response latency is present approximately two weeks prior to earlier estimates of the time course of maturation of the cholinergic system.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Behavioral discrimination between circumgenital odor from peri-ovulatory dominant and anovulatory female common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Social peer groups of callitrichid monkeys [marmosets and tamarins] exhibit intrasexual dominance hierarchies in captivity. This laboratory study employed two-choice behavioral discrimination bioassys to test the hypothesis that scent from female common marmosets contains chemical cues that permit discrimination between dominant females in the periovulatory versus luteal phase of the ovarian cycle and females holding dominant versus subordinate status. When scent from only dominant females was presented, marmosets directed significantly greater amounts of investigatory behavior toward peri-ovulatory scent versus scent collected during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle. Animals of both sexes demonstrated significant discriminatory behavior between scent deposited by dominant versus subordinate females, but only when the dominant female was in the peri-ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle. Test animals directed equal amounts of investigative behavior toward scent from luteal-phase dominant females and subordinate females. Female test subjects deposited significantly more scent marks over presented scents than did male subjects, particularly when the scent had been donated by a peri-ovulatory female. Chemical odors specific to the periovulatory and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle may play a role in mediating behavioral interactions among marmosets.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health and behavior: the interplay of biological, behavioral, and social influences: summary of an Institute of Medicine report.

An Institute of Medicine committee was convened to explore the links between biological, psychosocial, and behavioral factors and health and to review effective applications of behavioral interventions. Based on the evidence about interactions of the physiological responses to stress, behavioral choices, and social influences, the committee encouraged additional research efforts to explore the integration of these variables and to evaluate their mechanisms. An understanding of the social factors influencing behavior is growing and should be considered in programs and policies for public health, in addition to individual behavior and physiological status. Interventions to change behaviors have been directed toward individuals, communities, and society. Many intervention trials have documented the capacity of interventions to modify risk factors. However, more trials that include measures of morbidity and mortality to determine if the strategy has the desired health effects are needed. Behavior can be changed and new behaviors can be taught. Maintaining behavior changes is a greater challenge. Although short-term changes in behavior following interventions are encouraging, long-duration efforts are needed to improve health outcomes and to provide long-term assessments of effectiveness. Interventions aimed at any level can influence behavior change; however, existing research suggests that concurrent interventions at multiple levels are most likely to sustain behavior change and should be encouraged.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-schemas and possible selves as predictors and outcomes of risky behaviors in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Although there is extensive evidence that the self-concept changes in many important ways during the adolescent years and that these changes influence behavioral choices, the majority of studies completed to date have been based on a static model in which the self-concept is viewed solely as an antecedent of the risky behaviors. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pattern of relationships between three components of the self-concept--the popular, the conventional, and the deviant selves--and risky behaviors in a sample of middle adolescents during their transition from junior high to high school. METHODS: A sample of 160 adolescents completed questionnaires measuring the content of their self-schemas and possible selves and involvement in four risky behaviors (tobacco and alcohol use, sexual intercourse, poor school performance) during the winter of eighth and ninth grades. RESULTS: Popular self-schema score in the eighth grade positively predicted ninth grade risky behaviors. Risky behavior involvement in the eighth grade predicted ninth-grade deviant self-schema and possible self-scores. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the self-concept may not only play a role in the early stages of engagement in the risky behaviors but may also be one means through which the behaviors become structuralized into potentially enduring aspects of the self.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[Reconsideration of the Latin lover. An etno-communicational vignette with a moral].

The latin lover is a model of the self-fulfilling prophecy: you have to believe in him to be able to find him. The sequence that produces the latin lover includes the following ingredients: a) the "neutral" face-to-face distance for Latins is similar to the "seductive" face-to-face distance of non-Latins (more specifically, of Anglo-Saxons and Nord-Europeans); b) non-Latins do not detect the influence of their own cultural stereotype, the "Latin Lover", in their perception of the other's behavior; c) if the non-Latin choses to contribute his/her own share of seductive behavior, he/she will label that performance as a "response" to the message attributed to the Latin; d) the Latin, in turn, is forced by the pressures of his own cultural stereotypes to respond to a seductive advance with more seductive behavior; he labels his own behavior as a "response" to uncalled for behavior on the part of the non-Latin; e) that readiness to escalate seduction reinforces, in the eyes of the non-Latin, the first meaning attributed to that spacial choice behavior of the Latin. The case illustrates certain notions of communication theory, especially issues of "punctuation" and text-context relationships.

Behavior↗
PubMed1988

Validation of a radial maze test for assessing learning and memory in rats.

Choice behavior of rats in a radially symmetrical 6-arm maze, without food reward, was validated for assessing changes in learning and memory following treatment with 4 psychoactive agents. The test is designed for future use in routine toxicity studies with laboratory rodents. Each radial main arm of the maze leads to a T-shaped choice-point with a blind alley on the left and a long angled alley on the right. Order of choice of the radial main arms served to score within-session working memory, by evaluating relative recency of arm reentries. The choice between blind alley and long-angled alley at the T-intersections provided a measure of between-session reference memory. Maze behavior as an indicator for impairment in learning and memory was validated by testing rats treated with d-amphetamine, chlorpromazine, scopolamine and physostigmine. Based on the above evaluations, working memory was found to be severely impaired by 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg scopolamine, and reference memory to be improved by 0.02 mg/kg physostigmine and 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine. Locomotor activity, in terms of the total number of arm choices per test session, was altered by all substances as expected from previous reports in the literature. The test appears to be a valid and sensitive method for assessing learning and memory in the rat without the use of food reward, and thus well suited for implementation in routine toxicity studies with rodents.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Genetics and alcoholism among at-risk relatives II: interest and concerns about hypothetical genetic testing for alcoholism risk.

One purpose of this study was to examine hypothetical interest in genetic predisposition testing for alcoholism among at-risk relatives. Qualitative interviews and several quantitative tools were administered to 27 individuals who had at least one first-degree relative affected by alcoholism. Data analysis revealed that participants' interest in genetic testing for susceptibility to alcoholism was moderate. Lower educational level and a stronger belief in 'others' influencing health were related to participants' having a stronger interest in genetic testing. Participants' concerns about future use of genetic testing ranged from doubts about its usefulness in affecting behavior to apprehension regarding detrimental societal effects such as breaches in confidentiality and fear of being labeled an 'alcoholic.' Younger age and stronger interest in genetic testing were associated with deterministic or fatalistic beliefs, while drinking behaviors, gender, and other demographics were not. Participants questioned the utility of this type of testing. Their interest in testing and concerns about its hypothetical use may prove important for at-risk relatives who may face decisions about genetic testing in the future. Data from this study can provide direction for researchers and health care providers as genetic testing for this and other behavioral conditions emerges. Scientists and the public should address the social concerns expressed by participants, including the fear of labeling. Also, we can begin to anticipate characteristics common in those who may have fatalistic responses, and who may possibly make adverse behavior choices, to results from alcoholism susceptibility testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Hippocampal granule cells are necessary for normal spatial learning but not for spatially-selective pyramidal cell discharge.

The effects of massive destruction of granule cells of the fascia dentata on the spatial and temporal firing characteristics of pyramidal cells in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus were examined in freely moving rats. Microinjections of the neurotoxin colchicine were made at a number of levels along the septo-temporal axis of the dentate gyri of both hemispheres, resulting in destruction of over 75% of the granule cells. By contrast there was relatively little damage to the pyramidal cell fields. As assessed by three different behavioral tests, the colchicine treatment resulted in severe spatial learning deficits. Single units were recorded from the CA1 and CA3 subfields using the stereotrode recording method while the animals performed a forced choice behavioral task on the radial 8-arm maze. Considering the extent of damage to the dentate gyrus, which has hitherto been considered to be the main source of afferent information to the CA fields, there was remarkably little effect on the spatial selectivity of "place cell" discharge on the maze, as compared to recordings from control animals. There was, however, a change in the temporal firing characteristics of these cells, which was manifested primarily as an increase in the likelihood of burst discharge. The main conclusion derived from these findings is that most of the spatial information exhibited by hippocampal pyramidal cells is likely to be transmitted from the cortex by routes other than the traditional "trisynaptic circuit". These routes may include the direct projections from entorhinal layers II and III to CA3 and CA1, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Public education projects in skin cancer. Experience of the Canadian Dermatology Association.

The mandate of the Canadian Dermatology Association's Sun Awareness Program is to increase awareness of the dangers of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays and to provide information on prevention and early detection of skin cancer. Major projects include an annual national press campaign, which reaches an increasing number of Canadians each year, and the production and distribution of educational materials. Each year during Sun Awareness Week, screening stations have been established across the country, staffed by volunteer dermatologists and members of the Canadian Cancer Society. In Vancouver between 1991 and 1993, 1767 people were screened for skin cancer. Results indicate that these events can attract people at risk for skin cancer, even though people older than age 65 are probably underrepresented as a group. Although popular with the public, these screenings are difficult to organize and are limited by human resources. These events continue in limited numbers, because they provide an excellent venue for the dissemination of educational material. Cooperation with federal agencies has been a major focus of the program. For the past 2 years, educational material on protecting newborns and children from the sun has been made available free to every new mother in Canada, while Environment Canada's Ultraviolet index program provides daily information on UV intensity along with public health messages. With the realization that health promotion requires a sustained change in behavior of an individual, we are now embarking on a national program to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Canadians concerning UV radiation. With this information, we hope to adapt our educational materials so that people will adopt and maintain healthy behavior choices while out in the sun.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The impact of AIDS on an urban population of high-risk female minority adolescents: implications for intervention.

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to describe acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related concerns, risk behaviors, and psychosocial/situational determinants of condom use among an urban minority population of sexually active, adolescent girls. In addition we sought to define the accuracy of personal AIDS risk-assessment, the relative importance of AIDS in relation to other concerns, and the broader context of sexual experience and attitudes in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional interview study was conducted involving sexually active female adolescents attending a pediatric clinic in an inner-city university-affiliated community hospital. Sixty-nine subjects (ages 13-19 yr, 90% African-American) were enrolled. While the goals of this study were primarily descriptive, subject characteristics felt to impact on condom use were identified prior to data collection and were examined against several measures of usage including: use at the time of last sexual intercourse, overall frequency of condom use, and reported behavior change to include initiation of or increased condom usage. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of participants reported knowing someone with AIDS. Global concern regarding this disease was high, although worry about poverty-related issues was often greater. Despite concern and high measures of AIDS risk (median number of sex partners, 3; past sexually transmitted disease, 55%; past pregnancy 77%), most participants perceived themselves to be at low personal risk owing to current monogamy, lack of intravenous drug use, and implicit trust in their partner's safety. Discussion with their partner about actual risk and awareness of the importance of past behaviors was generally lacking. Although 98% were aware that condoms may prevent AIDS, 64% used condoms half of the time or less when they had sex and use appeared to be primarily for contraception. Several intrinsic cognitive/psychological and extrinsic social/situational factors were found to correlate with measures of condom use. CONCLUSIONS: Participants' sexual histories and behavior emphasize the need for concern regarding AIDS risk in this population. Patterns of sexual behavior and beliefs regarding committed relationships raise challenging questions regarding how to motivate sexually active members of this population to use condoms more frequently. Programs aimed at AIDS prevention among urban minority adolescents need to be cognizant of the larger personal and sociocultural context in which these teenagers are making health-behavior choices.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

Cinema seating in right, mixed and left handers.

Two hundred and sixty four right-handed, 246 mixed-handed and 360 left-handed students were requested to indicate on five maps of cinema halls what place they would choose. All three handedness groups showed a preference for the right and a corresponding directional bias towards the left space. However, they differed significantly from each other on the magnitude of this bias which was most pronounced in right and less in left handers. It is assumed that lateralized mechanisms underlying such biases have developed evolutionarily and serve right-handed persons best. Non-dextrality considerably reduces their phenotypic expressions, but even left-handedness does not reverse the directional bias towards the left. It is also hypothesized that right, mixed and left handers differ in a large number of behavioral choices and strategies, modeled by cerebrally lateralized mechanisms and that the cinema seating preference is only one of them.

Adolescent↗