Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “behavior”

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 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

The construction of movement with behavior-specific and behavior-independent modules.

Growing evidence suggests that different forms of complex motor acts are constructed through flexible combinations of a small number of modules in interneuronal networks. It remains to be established, however, whether a module simply controls groups of muscles and functions as a computational unit for use in multiple behaviors (behavior independent) or whether a module controls multiple salient features that define one behavior and is used primarily for that behavior (behavior specific). We used the Aplysia feeding motor network to examine the two proposals by studying the functions of identifiable interneurons. We identified three types of motor programs that resemble three types of behaviors that Aplysia produce: biting, swallowing, and rejection. Two ingestive programs (biting, swallowing) are defined by two movement parameters of the feeding apparatus (the radula): one is the same in both programs (phasing of radula closure motoneurons relative to radula protraction-retraction), whereas the other parameter (protraction duration) is different in the two programs. In each program, these two parameters were specified together by an individual neuron, but the neurons in each were different (B40 for biting, B30 for swallowing). These findings support the existence of behavior-specific modules. Furthermore, neuron B51 was found to mediate a phase that can be flexibly added on to both ingestive and egestive-rejection programs, suggesting that B51 may be a behavior-independent module. The functional interpretation of the role played by these modules is supported by the patterns of synaptic connectivity that they make. Thus, both behavior-specific and behavior-independent modules are used to construct complex behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Predicting moral behavior in physical education classes: an application of the theory of planned behavior.

This study aimed to examine the potential of the Theory of Planned Behavior to predict moral behavior in primary school physical education classes. Primary school children (N=611) completed a questionnaire including the Theory of Planned Behavior variables. Also, 21 teachers filled in an adapted version of Horrocks' Prosocial Play Behavior Inventory which assesses five moral behavior facets. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that attitudes toward moral behavior and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of intention towards moral behavior (54%). Intention and perceived behavioral control predicted teacher-reported moral behavior (41%). The present results indicated that the theory provides a valuable framework for study of primary school children's moral behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The role of attribution and self-perception in behavior change: implications for behavior therapy.

In this report extrapolations were made to behavior therapy from two related lines of social-psychological research: attribution and self-perception. A review of the relevant research literature on attribution suggested that (a) the perception and causal attribution of physiological arousal is an important determinant of emotional behavior and (b) self-attribution of behavior change increases the likelihood of maintenance of that change. A review of research concerned with Bem's self-perception theory indicated that inferences arising from self-observation of one's own overt behaviors may affect subsequent behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. These two lines of research converge in suggesting that an individual's perception of himself (in terms of overt behavior, situational circumstances, and physiological states) may have a marked influence on behavior change and the maintenance of that change. In the major body of this paper the implications of this research are discussed, particularly in terms of new procedures and specific modifications for existing procedures in behavior therapy. The major areas of behavior therapy discussed include: (a) behavioral assessment; (b) role playing (behavior rehearsal); (c) operant procedures; and (d) self-control strategies. Emphasis was placed upon treating the specific implications delineated as hypotheses requiring empirical investigation in the clinical arena. Strategies for such research were outlined.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1998

Behavioral effects of peripheral interleukin-1 administration in adult CD-1 mice: specific inhibition of the offensive components of intermale agonistic behavior.

Peripheral administration of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in rodents reduces exploratory behavior in a novel environment while decreasing social investigation of a juvenile conspecific. In this study we wanted to test the effects of peripherally administered IL-1beta on another aspect of the mouse social repertoire, namely intraspecific fighting towards an adult male intruder. In the first experiment, sickness behavior induced by IL-1beta (1 microg/mouse) in adult CD-1 mice was assessed by direct observation of behavioral changes following placement into a novel environment. Three hours after injection, subjects were individually introduced for 20 min in a cage with clean sawdust and a number of behavioral items recorded. Blood samples were collected at the end of the testing session. Body temperature was measured right before, 1 h and 3.5 h following injection. In IL-1beta treated mice, exploration (assessed by measuring duration and frequency of Wall Rearing and Rearing behaviors) was nearly totally suppressed, while duration and frequency of behaviors such as Grooming, Bar Holding, and Digging were also markedly reduced. Administration of IL-1beta significantly elevated CORT secretion above basal levels and, as previously reported for mice, induced hypothermia (about 2 degrees C). In the second experiment, we assessed mice receiving IL-1beta (0.25; 0.5 or 1 microg/mouse or saline solution) in a social context. Three hours after injection, subjects were placed into a neutral cage for 20 min with a non-injected adult male conspecific and aggressive behavior scored. Overall, IL-1beta administration affected the social repertoire of treated mice in a dose-dependent fashion. Specifically, agonistic components of aggressive behavior were nearly totally suppressed, while the defensive elements, such as Upright Defensive posture, Upright Submissive posture, Crouching, or Flee were not affected by IL-1beta. Overall these data support the notion that sickness behavior induced by IL-1beta administration represents an organized behavioral strategy and is not an aspecific response to an illness-type of condition.

Agonistic Behavior↗
PubMed1985

The basis of superstitious behavior: chance contingency, stimulus substitution, or appetitive behavior?

This research examined three explanations for the "superstitious" behavior of pigeons under frequent fixed-time delivery of food: accidental response-reward contingency, stimulus substitution, and elicited species-typical appetitive behavior. The behavior observed in these studies consisted of occasional postfood locomotion away from the food hopper, and a predominant pattern of activity directed toward the hopper wall (wall-directed behavior), including approaching, stepping side to side, scratching with the feet, bumping with the breast, pendulum movements of the extended neck, and head bobbing, though not pecking. The consistency of these behavior patterns argued against explanation by accidental response contingencies, and the complexity of behavior was incompatible with the classic stimulus-substitution account. These studies also showed that: (1) response contingencies and prior stimulus experience can modify wall-directed behavior, but within definable limits; (2) pecking sometimes can be obtained in birds of specific strains, and by providing extended training; (3) placing the hopper in the floor at the center of a large chamber replaces wall-directed behavior with circling in a manner that resembles ground foraging for food. We conclude that superstitious behavior under periodic delivery of food probably develops from components of species-typical patterns of appetitive behavior related to feeding. These patterns are elicited by a combination of frequent food presentations and the supporting stimuli present in the environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to healthy eating behaviors in urban Native American youth.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict healthy eating behavior in a group of urban Native American youth. METHODS: Native American boys and girls (n = 139), ages 9-18 years old, were given a self-administered survey to assess eating behavior using the TBP constructs (intention, attitude, subjective norm, barriers, self-efficacy, and perceived behavioral control). Youth were also measured for height and weight and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Bivariate correlations and stepwise regression analyses of TBP model were performed with SPSS software. RESULTS: No association was found between intention and healthy eating behavior. However, independently healthy eating behavior was correlated with barriers (0.46), attitude (0.44), perceived behavioral control (0.35), and subjective norm (0.34). The most predictive barriers to eating healthy included the availability and taste of foods. Boys' eating behavior was most predicted by subjective norm, while girls' eating behavior was most predicted by barriers. CONCLUSION: Lack of association between intention and healthy eating behavior suggests that factors other than intentions may drive healthy eating behaviors in urban Native American youth. Results indicate that programs promoting healthy eating to youth might focus on collaborating with families to make healthy foods more appealing to youth.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Interaction of reinforcement schedules, a behavioral prosthesis, and work-related behavior in adults with mental retardation.

The effects of variable-interval (VI) and fixed-ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement for work-related behavior and an organizer for the work materials (behavioral prosthesis) were evaluated with 3 adults with severe or profound mental retardation. The participants had been recommended for study because of high rates of off-task and aberrant behavior in their daily vocational training programs. For 2 participants, VI and FR schedules resulted in the same outcome: more aberrant behavior than on-task and off-task behavior combined. The FR schedule nearly eliminated emission of aberrant and off-task behavior by the 3rd participant. Combining the behavioral prosthesis with FR reinforcement (FR+O) increased the proportion of time spent in on-task behavior by all participants under certain FR schedule parameters. Second-by-second analyses of the observation records revealed that FR schedules reduced off-task and aberrant behavior during work sequences (i.e., ratio runs), and FR+O led to a further reduction of these behaviors during postreinforcement pauses. Overall, the results show how organizer and schedule parameters can be adjusted to produce an optimized balance between productivity and reinforcement while undesirable behavior is minimized.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

D1-receptor drugs and cocaine-seeking behavior: investigation of receptor mediation and behavioral disruption in rats.

RATIONALE: Dopamine D1-receptor antagonists and agonists both attenuate cocaine-seeking behavior (i.e., operant responding in the absence of cocaine reinforcement) elicited by a cocaine prime or cocaine-paired stimuli. It remains unclear whether these effects are D1-receptor mediated. OBJECTIVES: The present study tested whether a D1 antagonist (SCH-23390) would reverse the attenuating effects of a D1 agonist (SKF-81297) on cocaine-seeking behavior and whether behavioral disruption is involved in these effects. METHODS: Rats trained to press a lever for cocaine reinforcement with light and tone cues paired with each infusion underwent daily extinction sessions during which responding had no scheduled consequences (i.e., neither cocaine nor the cocaine-paired stimulus complex was available). After responding diminished, the effects of the D1 antagonist on the dose-response functions of the D1 agonist for reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior by response-contingent cue presentations or cocaine priming were examined. A separate experiment assessed the effects of the agonist on the dose-response function of the antagonist for cue reinstatement. Stereotyped behavior and activity were also measured during each test session. RESULTS: The attenuating effects of SKF-81297 on cocaine-seeking behavior during cocaine-primed reinstatement were reversed by co-administration of SCH-23390. However, no evidence for reversal of the attenuation during cue reinstatement was found even though agonist-induced stereotypy and antagonist-induced hypoactivity were reversed by co-administration of the two drugs during the same test session. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the attenuating effects of D1-receptor drugs on cocaine-seeking behavior during cocaine reinstatement are mediated by dopamine D1 receptors; however, it remains unclear whether the effects of these drugs on cocaine-seeking behavior during cue reinstatement are D1-receptor mediated. Nevertheless, it is evident that the attenuation of cocaine-seeking behavior by these drugs is not simply due to behavioral disruption.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Valuable, but not maximal: it's time behavior therapy attend to its behaviorism.

The field of behavior therapy is not in touch with itself in terms of its overarching behaviorism. Many erroneously consider its basic behaviorism to have been radical behaviorism and continue to look to develop behavior therapy (including behavior analysis and behavioral assessment) within that framework. But that approach turns out to be much less than maximal because there is a more advanced, better developed behaviorism within which to conduct and project the field. There is much that behavior therapy is not doing in practice and research because it is not making full use of that behaviorism foundation.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed2006

Infant and maternal behavior moderate reactivity to novelty to predict anxious behavior at 2.5 years.

The degree to which infant regulatory behaviors, together with infant reactivity to novelty, predicted anxious behavior at 2.5 years, and the moderating effect of maternal behavior were tested. Sixty-four low-risk mothers and infants participated. Mothers rated infant negative reactivity and anxious behavior; infant and maternal behaviors were observed at 6 months postpartum. Based on results of hierarchical, multiple regressions, infant regulatory behaviors (i.e., attention control, withdrawal) moderated associations between reactivity to novelty and later anxious behavior, but predictions depended also on maternal behavior. High reactivity to novelty, in conjunction with withdrawal and with poor attention control, predicted anxious behavior only when mothers were less engaged or less sensitive, suggesting that maternal behavior alters developmental trajectories associated with infant temperament.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using behavioral science to improve fire escape behaviors in response to a smoke alarm.

Although the likelihood of fire-related death in homes with smoke alarms is about one-half that in homes without alarms, alarm effectiveness is limited by behavior. Only 16% of residents of homes with alarms have developed and practiced plans for escape when the alarm sounds. We reviewed literature to identify behavioral constructs that influence smoke alarm use. We then convened experts in the behavioral aspects of smoke alarms who reviewed the constructs and determined that the appropriate areas for behavioral focus were formulating, practicing, and implementing escape plans should an alarm sound. They subsequently identified important behaviors to be addressed by burn-prevention programs and incorporated the constructs into a behavioral model for use in such programs. Finally, we organized the available literature to support this model and make programmatic recommendations. Many gaps remain in behavioral research to improve fire escape planning and practice. Future research must select the target behavior, apply behavioral theories, and distinguish between initiation and maintenance of behaviors associated with planning, practicing, and implementing home fire escape plans.

Behavior Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prediction of elementary school children's externalizing problem behaviors from attentional and behavioral regulation and negative emotionality.

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of individual differences in negative emotionality in the relations of behavioral and attentional (emotional) regulation to externalizing problem behaviors. Teachers' and one parent's reports of children's regulation (attentional and behavioral), emotionality, and problem behavior were obtained when children were in kindergarten to grade 3 and two years later (N = 169; 146 in major analyses); children's behavioral regulation also was assessed with a measure of persistence. According to the best fitting structural equation model, at two ages behavioral dysregulation predicted externalizing behavior problems for children both high and low in negative emotionality, whereas prediction of problem behavior from attentional control was significant only for children prone to negative emotionality. There were unique, additive effects of behavioral and attentional regulation for predicting problem behavior as well as moderating effects of negative emotionality for attentional regulation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory as a predictor of disruptive behavior during an initial pediatric dental examination.

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI), a parent rating scale of children's behaviors at home, and children's disruptive behaviors during an initial dental visit. Behaviors of 18 Headstart children, 40 to 55 months of age, undergoing an initial exam were observed. Four possible negative behaviors based upon the North Carolina Behavior Rating Scale (NCBRS), were recorded by two observers for each subject during five phases of an initial dental visit and statistically compared to the total ECBI score and individual answers within the ECBI questionnaire. Overall, the majority of subjects displayed clinically acceptable behavior. Four disruptive behaviors explained 92.9% of the variation in responses by the subjects to the initial visit. These were: high hand movement during the intraoral examination, crying or verbal protest during prophylaxis, oral physical resistance during prophylaxis, and oral-physical resistance during fluoride application. The following 6 questions explained 99.3% of the variation in ECBI responses by parents or guardians: (#9) refuses to obey until threatened with punishment, (#15) whines, (#18) hits parents, (#24) verbally fights with friends his own age, (#28) constantly seeks attention, and (#35) is overactive or restless. While the total number of subjects observed were too low to generate statistically significant results, the trends appear to indicate that a child's disruptive or nondisruptive behavior at home is not a reliable predictor of disruptive or nondisruptive behavior within the dental setting. These findings are independent of gender or race.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Predicting early onset of male antisocial behavior from preschool behavior.

METHODS: Data from a large longitudinal study of boys who were between kindergarten and age 13 years were used to (1) test whether Gray's and Cloninger's personality dimensions measured in kindergarten predicted the early onset of stable, highly delinquent behavior; (2) test whether 1, 2, or 3 dimensions were needed; and (3) test the predictive value of a categorical approach. RESULTS: The impulsivity dimension was the best predictor of the early onset of stable, highly delinquent behavior. Anxiety and reward dependence made significant but weaker contributions. The categorical approach corroborated Cloninger's suggestion that boys who are high in impulsivity, low in anxiety, and low in reward dependence would be more at risk for delinquent involvement. Boys who were high in impulsivity and low in anxiety but high in reward dependence were much less at risk for delinquency. Differences in antisocial behavior among extreme kindergarten personality groups were stable from ages 11 to 13 years. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral activating system appears to be the major dimension underlying the propensity toward early onset of antisocial behavior, but both the behavioral inhibition system and the need for social rewards play important roles. The behavioral style (personality) that results from the interplay of these systems is clearly in place by the kindergarten year. Preventive efforts should target preschool children with at-risk behavior profiles. However, longitudinal-experimental studies with at least yearly assessments between birth and school-entry age are needed to understand the extent to which the behavioral styles are antecedent to preschool disruptive behavior disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Association of depression with Body Mass Index, sedentary behavior, and maladaptive eating attitudes and behaviors in 11 to 13-year old children.

We examined the relation of different behavioral dimensions of depression with weight-related variables (BMI percentile, sedentary behavior, eating attitudes, and weight control behaviors) in children aged 11 to 13 years. Depression was assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Sedentary behavior was measured in 45 sixth grade students (23 boys and 22 girls) using a validated 24-hour recall instrument, the Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist. BMI was calculated directly from measured height and weight (kg/m2). The Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) was used to measure eating attitudes and weight control behaviors. There were not significant gender differences in reported minutes (142 vs. 91 minutes for boys vs. girls; p=0.25) of sedentary behavior (i.e., television watching and video game playing). The major finding of this study was that certain aspects of depression (i.e., interpersonal problems and feelings of ineffectiveness) were correlated with higher levels of sedentary behavior in children aged 11 to 13. A factor analysis of the study variables indicated that most dimensions of depression, sedentary behavior, and body size represent distinct but correlated behavioral dimensions. This study provides support for a link between specific aspects of depression (i.e., interpersonal problems and feelings of ineffectiveness) and sedentary behavior in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Disordered behavioral control in psychiatric illnesses. Neurophysiological aspects of impulsive behavior].

OBJECTIVE: Dysfunction of behavioral control represents a central component of many psychiatric disorders and may be connected with self-mutilating and antisocial behavior. However, only a few studies have investigated objective assessment and quantification of impulsive behavior, which is relevant for psychiatric practice and research. Because new techniques enable objective assessment of behavior generation and execution, the current knowledge about neurophysiological aspects of behavioral control is summarized. METHOD: The contemporary literature on neuronal mechanisms of initiation and execution of behavior and movements and new neurophysiological methods and findings are discussed in respect to their application in psychiatry. RESULTS: Behavior, defined as movements of a body in time and space, is the result of cortical and subcortical processes. These consist of two general components: (1) perception and selection of a stimulus and (2) execution of a movement, including decision and planning phases. Planning and execution, modulated by cognition and emotions, are dependent on the balance of inhibitory and excitatory aspects of behavior control. Combined detection of electrical brain activity and kinematic analysis of peripheral movements enables the analysis of control mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Impulsiveness and inhibition of behavior depend on neuronal control mechanisms which can be analyzed by neurophysiological methods. Objective assessment of impulsive behavior related to psychiatric disturbances including eating disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders may clarify underlying neurobiological mechanisms and enable rational pharmaco- and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Brain↗
PubMed1988

Effects of cholecystokinin on male copulatory behavior and lordosis behavior in male rats.

Because the distribution of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) within the hypothalamus and limbic system overlaps with steroid concentrating regions, and because these areas are involved in the regulation of reproductive behaviors, we examined the effects of exogenous CCK-8 on male copulatory behavior and lordosis behavior in the male rat. Peripheral administration of a dose of CCK-8 that altered lordosis behavior in females (3 micrograms/kg, intraperitoneal) was ineffective in altering male copulatory behavior in males, either before or after gonadectomy, and was also ineffective in altering lordosis behavior after estrogen priming. In a separate experiment, CCK-8 injected into the lateral ventricle also did not affect male copulatory behavior, but lordosis behavior was increased dramatically after gonadectomy and estrogen priming. Although these results do not answer the question whether CCK-8 is acting to inhibit a neural system that normally suppresses lordosis behavior or is acting to stimulate a facilitatory circuit, these results do indicate the existence of an estrogen sensitive neural substrate in males on which CCK can act to facilitate lordosis behavior.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1996

Estimated magnitude of behavioral effects of phenytoin in rats and its reproducibility: a collaborative behavioral teratology study in Japan.

A collaborative study was conducted by 30 laboratories that participated in the Behavioral Teratology Meeting in Japan. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats from four breeders were orally administrated 200 mg/kg of phenytoin each day from day 10 to day 14 of gestation. The offspring were tested for behavioral teratogenic effects at various ages. The effects were estimated in terms of common effect size, which should be very resistant to the variation inevitable in behavioral teratology results, and thus yield a different type of information from that reported in the usual behavioral teratology studies. The common effect size also gives information on the magnitude of the behavioral teratogenic effects that previous studies could not provide. A breeder difference in the effect of phenytoin for several measures was found in terms of common effect size. The estimated phenytoin effect was found to be large enough to be detected by using a sample size of 20 per group. As to reproducibility of results, estimation by standard deviation across laboratories disclosed that there was almost no difference in magnitude between behavioral and non-behavioral measures, indicating that much of the variation in behavioral teratology results of phenytoin might not be due to measurement error from behavioral tests but rather to the phenytoin effect itself administered via the mother. How seriously a single study is affected by uncontrollable variation of results was illustrated by plotting the respective laboratory results on a dimension. A standard practice in the interpretation of discrepancies among results obtained from single studies is criticized; it is pointed out that such interpretations rely on an optimistic assumption: that is, that results obtained from single studies would be free from the usual variation of results found in behavioral teratogenic research.

Animals↗