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Conflicting processes in the extinction of conditioned taste aversion: behavioral and molecular aspects of latency, apparent stagnation, and spontaneous recovery.

The study of experimental extinction and of the spontaneous recovery of the extinguished memory could cast light on neurobiological mechanisms by which internal representations compete to control behavior. In this work, we use a combination of behavioral and molecular methods to dissect subprocesses of experimental extinction of conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Extinction of CTA becomes apparent only 90 min after the extinction trial. This latency is insensitive to muscarinic and beta-adrenergic modulation and to protein synthesis inhibition in the insular cortex (IC). Immediately afterwards, however, the extinguishing trace becomes sensitive to beta-adrenergic blockade and protein synthesis inhibition. The subsequent kinetics and magnitude of extinction depend on whether a spaced or massed extinction protocol is used. A massed protocol is highly effective in the short run, but results in apparent stagnation of extinction in the long-run, which conceals fast spontaneous recovery of the preextinguished trace. This recovery can be truncated by a beta-adrenergic agonist or a cAMP analog in the insular cortex, suggesting that spontaneous overtaking of the behavioral control by the original association is regulated at least in part by beta-adrenergic input, probably operating via the cAMP cascade, long after the offset of the conditioned stimulus. Hence, the performance of the subject in experimental extinction is the sum total of multiple, sometimes conflicting, time-dependent processes.

Animals↗

Physical aggression and control in heterosexual relationships: the effect of sampling.

This study investigated the proposition by Johnson (1995) that there are distinct patterns of physical aggression within relationships, characterized as common couple violence and patriarchal terrorism. The present samples comprised students (N = 113), women from a domestic violence refuge (N = 44), and male prisoners (N = 108). Participants completed measures of physical aggression, controlling behavior, fear of injuries, and injuries. Reports of these measures were entered into a Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). With the exception of self-reported use of controlling behavior, the variables showed univariately significant differences between the groups. The DFA produced two significant functions which together correctly classified 75% of cases. These results support the view that there are distinct patterns of aggressive relationships corresponding to those identified by Johnson (1995).

Aggression↗

Use of classical conditioning procedures to control aggressive behaviors in children: a preliminary report.

This experiment tested the effectiveness of classical conditioning procedures in reducing children's aggressive behaviors in a classroom setting. As hypothesized, 11 boys and 14 girls who were shown pictures of aggressive scenes paired with the presentation of negatively evaluated words subsequently displayed significantly fewer aggressive responses than controls who had not experienced these conditioning procedures. A significant teacher/classroom effect was also found, which appeared to be a function of the level of the 3 teachers' permissiveness. Specifically, children's aggressive behaviors occurred more frequently in the classroom where a permissive atmosphere prevailed than in the classroom where a more restrictive atmosphere was maintained. In those classrooms where a permissive atmosphere prevailed, the children who were the same sex as their teacher tended to display more aggressive responses than those children who were the opposite sex from their teacher.

Adolescent↗

Predicting intentions to use condoms among African-American adolescents: the theory of planned behavior as a model of HIV risk-associated behavior.

The relation of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to intentions to use condoms was examined among 179 adolescents who completed a confidential self-administered questionnaire prior to participating in a minority youth health conference. Approximately 72% of the adolescents were African Americans. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that attitudes and subjective norms predicted intentions to use condoms and that, consistent with the theory of planned behavior, perceived behavioral control added a significant increment to the squared multiple correlation. Although adolescents' perceptions of their friends' approval of condom use was unrelated to their condom-use intentions, adolescents' behavioral beliefs about the effects of condoms on sexual enjoyment, normative beliefs regarding partners' and mothers' approval, and control beliefs regarding technical skill at using condoms were associated with such intentions. These results suggest the utility of the theory of planned behavior as a model of condom use among adolescents. Implications for HIV risk-reduction interventions are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Relationships between drinking motives and drinking restraint.

Relationships between drinking motives (self-perceived reasons for drinking alcohol) and drinking restraint (preoccupation with controlling alcohol intake) were examined in a nonclinical young adult sample. Ninety-seven undergraduate university drinkers completed the Temptation and Restraint Inventory (Collins & Lapp, 1992), the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (Cooper, Russell, Skinner, & Windle, 1992), and measures of demographics (age and gender) and social desirability. Results indicated that after accounting for the influences of demographic and social desirability information, Coping Motives and Enhancement Motives scores from the Drinking Motives Questionnaire were significant predictors of Cognitive and Emotional Preoccupation scores on the Temptation and Restraint Inventory, and Coping Motives scores were a significant predictor of Cognitive and Behavioral Control scores on the Temptation and Restraint Inventory. Social Motives scores on the Drinking Motives Questionnaire did not significantly predict either Cognitive and Emotional Preoccupation or Cognitive and Behavioral Control scores. Further analyses suggested that actual behavioral attempts at alcohol restriction on the Temptation and Restraint Inventory were predicted by Enhancement Motives scores, whereas cognitive concerns about drinking were predicted by Coping Motives scores. Results are discussed in terms of implications for risk for excessive and problem drinking in enhancement and coping-motivated young adult drinkers.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Interaction between sleep and thermoregulation: an aspect of the control of behavioral states.

Studies on the interaction between sleep and thermoregulation are reviewed with regard to the processes underlying the ultradian evolution of behavioral states. The experimental evidence shows that thermoregulatory mechanisms influence the waking-sleeping cycle in both the absence or the presence of a thermal load. Such a control appears to be a functional necessity to maintain physiological homeostasis.

Activity Cycles↗

Summation of excitatory and inhibitory control produced by traditional tone-shock contingencies and autocontingencies.

Previous research has demonstrated that rats can be unsignaled shock to predict subsequent periods free from shock. This shock-no shock stimulus arrangement, termed an autocontingency, has appeared less likely to exert behavioral control when a traditional tone-shock contingency was simultaneously available. The present research examined the generality of CS-US contingency dominance in a conditioned suppression paradigm by using a summation test in which "probe" stimuli derived from tone-shock contingencies were superimposed upon responding maintained by an autocontingency. In experiment 1, an inhibitory CS accelerated responding only when responding was normally suppressed by the autocontingency. In experiment 2, an excitatory CS failed to yield conditioned suppression during an inhibitory (accelerative) period produced by the autocontingency. Unlike our previous findings (e.g., Davis, Memmott & Hurwitz, 1975), these results do not support a general notion of tone-shock contingency dominance over autocontingencies. Behavioral control by autocontingencies appears robust and "holds its own" in summation with both excitatory and inhibitory CSs derived from traditional contingencies.

Animals↗

Genome-wide expression analysis in Drosophila reveals genes controlling circadian behavior.

In Drosophila, a number of key processes such as emergence from the pupal case, locomotor activity, feeding, olfaction, and aspects of mating behavior are under circadian regulation. Although we have a basic understanding of how the molecular oscillations take place, a clear link between gene regulation and downstream biological processes is still missing. To identify clock-controlled output genes, we have used an oligonucleotide-based high-density array that interrogates gene expression changes on a whole genome level. We found genes regulating various physiological processes to be under circadian transcriptional regulation, ranging from protein stability and degradation, signal transduction, heme metabolism, detoxification, and immunity. By comparing rhythmically expressed genes in the fly head and body, we found that the clock has adapted its output functions to the needs of each particular tissue, implying that tissue-specific regulation is superimposed on clock control of gene expression. Finally, taking full advantage of the fly as a model system, we have identified and characterized a cycling potassium channel protein as a key step in linking the transcriptional feedback loop to rhythmic locomotor behavior.

Animals↗

Predicting back pain sufferers' intentions to exercise.

One important factor in reducing back pain is the performance of exercises prescribed by physicians during treatment. The present investigation was conducted to examine the correlates of an individual's intention to adhere to such prescriptions. On the bases of M. Fishbein's (1980) theory of reasoned action and I. Ajzen's (1988) theory of planned behavior, attitudes, subjective norms, and 2 types of perceived behavioral control were measured in a sample of American patients. Attitudes and subjective norms failed to predict intentions to exercise in accordance with the physician's orders, but each of the perceived behavioral control measures did moderately well as an independent predictor and quite well when combined in a multiple regression approach.

Exercise↗

Vasopressin/serotonin interactions in the anterior hypothalamus control aggressive behavior in golden hamsters.

Studies in several species of rodents show that arginine vasopressin (AVP) acting through a V1A receptor facilitates offensive aggression, i.e., the initiation of attacks and bites, whereas serotonin (5-HT) acting through a 5-HT1B receptor inhibits aggressive responding. One area of the CNS that seems critical for the organization of aggressive behavior is the basolateral hypothalamus, particularly the anterior hypothalamic region. The present studies examine the neuroanatomical and neurochemical interaction between AVP and 5-HT at the level of the anterior hypothalamus (AH) in the control of offensive aggression in Syrian golden hamsters. First, specific V1A and 5-HT1B binding sites in the AH are shown by in vitro receptor autoradiography. The binding for each neurotransmitter colocalizes with a dense field of immunoreactive AVP and 5-HT fibers and putative terminals. Putative 5-HT synapses on AVP neurons in the area of the AH are identified by double-staining immunocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. These morphological data predispose a functional interaction between AVP and 5-HT at the level of the AH. When tested for offensive aggression in a resident/intruder paradigm, resident hamsters treated with fluoxetine, a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, have significantly longer latencies to bite and bite fewer times than vehicle-treated controls. Conversely, AVP microinjections into the AH significantly shorten the latency to bite and increase biting attacks. The action of microinjected AVP to increase offensive aggression is blocked by the pretreatment of hamsters with fluoxetine. These data suggest that 5-HT inhibits fighting, in part, by antagonizing the aggression-promoting action of the AVP system.

Aggression↗

Understanding soft drink consumption among female adolescents using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

This study identified factors that influence regular soda consumption among 707 female students, aged 13-18 years, attending North Los Angeles County public high schools. Participants completed a group-administered Theory of Planned Behavior-based questionnaire. Almost all of the participants, 96.3%, reported that they currently drink soda; 50.1% reported drinking 2 glasses of soda or more per day during the past year. Students reported drinking regular soda more than diet soda and reported drinking phosphoric acid-containing soda more than non-phosphoric acid-containing soda. Attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control had statistically significant positive associations with intention, and were each significant predictors of intention to drink regular soda and together explained 64% of its variance. The strongest predictor was attitude, followed by perceived behavioral control and subjective norm. Our results suggest that efforts to reduce soda consumption among female adolescents should include parents and friends. It is also important that soda should not be excessively available at home or widely accessible to teenagers at schools. Healthy eating messages for adolescents need to be developed and incorporated into existing and future campaigns to reinforce the perception that there are other healthier drinks that quench thirst and that taste good as well.

Adolescent↗

Nondaily drinkers score higher on the Alcohol Dependence Scale than daily drinkers.

To evaluate the relationship between drinking pattern and alcohol dependence severity, 209 individuals voluntarily seeking treatment for alcohol problems were administered the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS), the Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) questionnaire, and a 12-month Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) drinking assessment as part of their pretreatment assessment. Based on their TLFB data, participants were divided into two groups: daily (DD, n=84) and nondaily (NDD, n=125) drinkers. The two groups were compared on several demographic and drinking variables. It was hypothesized that DD would have higher scores on measures of alcohol dependence than NDD. However, the reverse pattern was found. The NDD had significantly higher ADS scores than the DD. An analysis of ADS subscale scores indicated that the primary difference between the two groups was in the domain of loss of behavior control. It is suggested that NDD may perceive intoxication as more impairing, perhaps because they have acquired less tolerance than DD. These results suggest that treatment focused on restoring a sense of behavior control would be beneficial for NDD.

Adult↗

Diet and exercise profiles of 30- to 60-year-old male smokers: implications for community heart health programs.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diet and exercise behaviors in middle-aged male smokers and identify their determinants of behaviors, with the ultimate goal of designing more effective interventions in a community heart health program. Self-administered, postal questionnaires produced a sample of n = 671 male smokers, 30 to 60 years of age residing in Laval, Quebec's second most populous city. Variables for the study were derived from the theory of planned behavior. Correspondence analysis explained 65% of the variance, classifying smokers into five groups based on diet and exercise behavior. Group 1, smokers with diet and exercise behaviors deemed inadequate for heart health, comprised 43% of the total. Groups 2 and 3, smokers with a diet deemed inadequate or needing improvement respectively, and Group 4, smokers with inadequate exercise, comprised 42% of the total. Group 5, smokers with neither of the other high-risk behaviors, comprised 15% of the total. Four significant variables contrasted Groups 1 to 4 with group 5: age, number of cigarettes smoked daily, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in both diet and exercise. However, coefficients for age and smoking were weak for all groups. Coefficients for PBC in diet were high and negative only for smokers with an inadequate one. For PBC in exercise, they were high and negative only for smokers who exercised inadequately. Intervention groups based on specific deficiencies in diet and exercise behaviors were then identified. Therefore, the results suggest that smoking cessation programs may be made more effective by targeting specific sub-groups and by providing resources and opportunities to counteract the lack of perceived behavioral control in middle-aged male smokers vis-a-vis diet and exercise.

Adult↗

A longitudinal assessment of the impact of health/fitness status and health behavior on perceived quality of life.

This study extended cross-sectional research associating quality of life with health and fitness factors. Longitudinal analyses were performed on data collected from 519 U.S. Navy personnel to assess changes in quality of life with changes in health/fitness status and health behavior dimensions at 1-yr. and 2-yr. intervals. Multiple regression results showed that such changes were positively associated with changes in health/fitness status and behaviors related to accident control and wellness maintenance, with these predictors accounting for 8% of the variance in change in quality of life at the 1-yr. interval. At the 2-yr. interval, such change was associated with health/fitness status and accident control behaviors, accounting for 11% of the variance. Health behavior change made a unique contribution to change in quality of life after controlling for changes in health/fitness status at both intervals. Findings affirm modest yet consistent associations between changes in fitness and health variables and quality of life and suggest that improvements in health behavior influence quality of life independently of one's health/fitness status.

Adult↗

Reinforcing effects of nicotine in humans and experimental animals responding under intermittent schedules of i.v. drug injection.

The self-administration paradigm is an experimental model of drug dependence in which the reinforcing properties of drugs can be directly assessed. This paradigm avoids the possible confounding influence of nonpharmacologic factors which may contribute to drug taking in the nonlaboratory environment. When animals serve as subjects, social and cultural factors unique to humans may also be eliminated as confounding influences. Most drugs of abuse are self-administered by animals and humans under such conditions. Until 1981, laboratory studies of nicotine self-administration suggested that nicotine, in its own right, was only a marginally effective reinforcer. As will be shown in the present review, a study by Goldberg and his co-workers in 1981 [13] demonstrated clearly that nicotine could serve as a highly efficacious reinforcer in laboratory animals. There are several parameters which can function to substantially strengthen the behavior which leads to nicotine ingestion. These include the following: (1) intermittent availability of nicotine, (2) intermittent presentation of nicotine-paired stimuli, and (3) concurrent schedules of food reinforcement. Initial findings from a human IV nicotine self-administration study were consistent with those from the animal studies. Together these results confirm that nicotine can function to control behavior by serving as a reinforcer for animals and humans. The results also suggest that commonly used tobacco products function as ideal nicotine delivery systems for controlling behavior since they provide discrete nicotine-paired stimuli and lend themselves to intermittent nicotine delivery.

Animals↗