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PubMed1977

Skin, preoptic, and core temperatures influence behavioral thermoregulation.

Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) will learn to regulate their chamber air temperature (Ta) behaviorally by selecting between two air temperatures, 10 and 50 degrees C. When transient (10-min) displacements of local preoptic temperature (Tpo) are made around neutral, via water-perfused thermodes, changes in Ta selected are linear and inversely proportional to the Tpo displacement. The same result occurred in the present study when 10-min Tpo displacements were made around a clamped (36--41 degrees C) Tpo. The higher the clamped Tpo level, the steeper the linear functions relating behavioral response to Tpo transients. This change of gain was manifested in behavioral adjustments of Ta or skin temperature. The data showed that the temperature of the extrahypothalamic body core (measured rectally) was driven by the clamped Tpo to a nonneutral level. When this level was maintained stable during the Tpo transients, core temperature was shown to be a multiplicative factor governing the gain of the behavioral effector responses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Altered behavior of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata as a result of infection with Schistosoma mansoni.

In this comparative behavioral study, the effect of infection with Schistosoma mansoni on its snail intermediate host Biomphalaria glabrata was investigated. Three groups of snails were compared for their activity: (1) uninfected, (2) infected with male parasites, and (3) infected with female parasites. In solitary movement trials, uninfected snails traveled greater distances at faster rates, explored more surface area, and had shorter rest periods than snails infected with either male or female schistosomes. In Y-maze experiments designed to determine attraction, the uninfected snails more often and more quickly moved toward other snails than the infected individuals. Snails from all 3 groups were more attracted to infected individuals than to uninfected ones. There was no difference in attraction toward snails infected with male or female parasites. These experiments provide evidence that behavioral alterations as a result of infection may lead to aggregation of infected snails in the field. We propose that such an effect may result in enhanced parasite transmission.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Application of the transtheoretical model to fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents: preliminary findings.

PURPOSE: To examine the application of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents. METHODS: Scales for measuring decisional balance, situational self-efficacy, and processes of change for fruit and vegetable consumption were developed and pretested with 57 economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents. The scales and measures for assessing stages of change, demographic variables, and fruit and vegetable consumption were administered to a separate sample of 262 participants. t-tests for independent samples and analysis of variance were used to examine differences in TTM variables and fruit and vegetable consumption across stages of change. RESULTS: Two-factor solutions for decisional balance and processes of change and a three-factor solution for situational self-efficacy provided the best fit to the data. Alpha coefficients of reliability for the scales ranged from .77 (experiential change processes) to .91 (pros). Participants in action-maintenance stages evidenced higher pros, self-efficacy, and fruit and vegetable consumption and significantly lower cons than did participants in precontemplation and contemplation-preparation stages. Also, participants in action-maintenance stages used processes of change more frequently than did those in precontemplation-contemplation-preparation stages. The use of experiential and behavioral processes within these stages did not differ significantly, as posited. DISCUSSION: Observed differences in TTM variables and fruit and vegetable consumption by stage of change in this sample of economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents were consistent with theory and previous applications of the model to fruit and vegetable consumption in adults. With replication studies, the TTM may be appropriate for designing interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Increasing the number of synapses modifies olfactory perception in Drosophila.

The Drosophila mutant gigas produces an enlargement of postmitotic cells caused by additional rounds of DNA replication. In neurons, the mutant cell establishes more synapses than normal. We have taken advantage of this feature to study the effect of synapse number on odorant perception. Mosaic adults were generated in which one antenna was homozygous for gigas, whereas the contralateral side served as an internal control. Morphological analysis indicates that the number and type of sensory afferents forming the mutant antenna, as well as their projection to the olfactory glomeruli, are normal. In contrast, the volume of identified glomeruli increases to a variable extent, and mutant sensory neurons branch profusely. The number of synapses, estimated in the ventral (V) glomerulus that receives ipsilateral afferents only, is increased twofold to threefold. Large-dense-core vesicle-containing terminals that probably modulate olfactory centers are identified in the V glomerulus. Their number and size are not modified by the mutant input. Sensory transduction, measured by electroantennograms, is normal in amplitude and kinetics. In odorant tests, however, the profile of the behavioral response to ethyl acetate shows attractive responses to concentrations to which sibling controls remain indifferent (10(-)8 and 10(-)7 v/v). In addition, the intensity of the response is augmented both at attractive and repulsive odorant concentrations with respect to that of controls. These results demonstrate that increased synapse number in the sensory neurons can modify the behavior of the organism, allowing a higher sensitivity of perception.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Picky eating: a toddler's continuing approach to mealtime.

Research indicates that three primary components play a role in the picky eating phenomenon: development, personal preferences, and the family. Picky eating is an aspect of child development. Children will develop their own preferences when given the appropriate tools to do so. Parents are their children's greatest role models. An understanding of these concepts can help guide the primary care provider in making appropriate recommendations to parents to improve their toddlers' eating behaviors.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of drug reinforcement by behavioral requirements following drug ingestion.

Eight volunteers with histories of drug abuse participated in two experiments examining the modulation of drug choice by behavioral requirements following drug ingestion. Each morning subjects ingested color-coded capsules containing triazolam (0.25 mg), d-amphetamine (15 mg), or placebo and then engaged in a relaxation or a computer vigilance activity. Experiment 1 involved two phases (i.e. a triazolam and a d-amphetamine phase), presented in counterbalanced order. Within each phase, subjects were first exposed to each of two compounds (placebo and either triazolam or d-amphetamine) once with each activity. Then every other day for 20 days subjects chose which compound they ingested with the vigilance and relaxation activities, with the restriction that they could not choose the same compound with both activities. Seven of eight subjects reliably chose d-amphetamine with the vigilance activity; all subjects always chose triazolam with the relaxation activity. In experiment 2 (5 days' duration), after re-exposure to the color-coded compounds used in experiment 1, subjects chose which compound (placebo, d-amphetamine or triazolam) they ingested with the vigilance activity, and on another occasion (in counterbalanced order), which they ingested with relaxation activity. Seven of eight subjects chose d-amphetamine with the vigilance activity; all subjects chose triazolam with the relaxation activity. The relaxation and vigilance activities modulated triazolam and d-amphetamine reinforcement, thereby demonstrating a new class of environmental variable that can influence drug self-administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Barbiturate dependence and drug preference.

Rats exposed to a daily 3-hr session of intermittent food delivery ingested physical-dependent levels of a 1 mg/ml sodium phenobarbital solution. This chronic, voluntary, high level of session phenobarbital intake had no effect on 21-hr home cage barbiturate preference. Substitution of water for phenobarbital during the session after 7.5 weeks precipitated various spontaneous withdrawal signs in some of the animals by the 24th hr of drug withdrawal but no change was found in home-cage barbiturate preference at any time. Physical dependence alone does not seem to play a crucial role in the maintenance of drug intake behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Sexual and olfactory preference in noncopulating male rats.

In some species including rats, mice, gerbils, and rams, apparently normal males fail to copulate when repeatedly tested with receptive females. These animals are called "noncopulators (NC)," and the cause of this behavioral deficit is unknown. It has been shown that NC rats do not have hormonal alterations or deficits in the mechanisms that control penile function. The present study was designed to examine (Experiment 1) whether NC male rats prefer receptive females to sexually active males. In addition, the olfactory preference for bedding soiled from estrous or for anestrous bedding was investigated. These tests were performed in NC and copulating (C) male rats when the subjects were intact, gonadectomized (GDX), or GDX and treated with high doses of testosterone propionate (TP). Our results demonstrate that NC rats do not display sexual behavior even after high TP treatment. While C male rats have a clear preference for receptive females as opposed to a sexually active male, NC rats do not. In all hormonal conditions, the preference shown by NC rats for estrous bedding was significantly reduced in comparison to that seen in C rats. TP treatment in NC rats did not modify either partner or odor preference. In Experiment 2, we evaluated if NC rats are feminized and if it could be easier to induce feminine-like behavior by hormone treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB) or with EB plus progesterone (P) (EB+P). Odor preference for estrous or male bedding under these hormonal conditions was also compared. No differences between NC and C rats were found in feminine sexual behavior. In the olfactory test, we found that NC rats prefer odors from receptive females as opposed to male odors, but this preference is reduced compared to that of C rats. Males treated with EB or EB+P show no preference for female odors. These results demonstrate that treatment with EB or EB+P does not increase feminine sexual behavior in NC rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Social chemosignals in five Belontiidae (Pisces) species.

Approach behaviors toward conspecific chemical stimuli of the opposite sex were examined in five Belontiidae species: Betta splendens, Macropodus opercularis, Colisa labiosa, C. lalia, and Trichogaster trichopterus. Approach was measured by (a) preference for section 1 of a three-section tank, which contained a vertical tube that introduced the stimulus water, and (b) occupancy of the tube. Experiments 1A and 1B showed that (a) approach behaviors were displayed by the isolated male Betta only to ripe-female stimulus water, (b) group-housed males of the remaining four species were not attracted to female-conditioned water, and (c) socially isolated males of these four species preferred section 1 during presentation of either ripe- or nonripe-female-inhabited water but occupied the tube only during exposure to ripe-female-conditioned water. The findings of Experiment 2A were that (a) the female Betta, regarless of physiological state, showed approach behaviors to male-inhabited water and (b) only ripe females of the remaining species indicated a preference for section 1 during male-water exposure but performed no tube entries. Results of Experiment 2B indicated that social isolation of the females, especially ripe females, facilitated their approach behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Social categorization, self-esteem, and the estimated musical preferences of male adolescents.

The authors investigated the intergroup processes of male adolescents within the context of social identity theory (SIT; H. Tajfel, 1978; H. Tajfel & J. C. Turner, 1979). The participants were English male adolescents (age = 14-15 years). They estimated in-group and out-group musical preferences and evaluated the in-group and out-group along a series of scales. The results showed in-group favoritism effects along the musical preference and evaluative dimensions. The participants reported greater liking for the in-group. Compared with the out-group, they associated the in-group more with positively stereotyped music and less with negatively stereotyped music. Compared with the out-group, they rated the in-group as more fun, more masculine, more sporty, less boring, less snobbish, and less weird. The participants with lower levels of self-esteem showed greater differentiation between groups and greater derogation of the out-group. The results supported the predictions of SIT and demonstrated the applicability of SIT for the study of adolescent behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Subtypes of precontemplating smokers defined by different long-term plans to change their smoking behavior.

Many smokers are not motivated to quit smoking. In the Stages of Change model these smokers are called precontemplators. When developing interventions designed to motivate these smokers to quit, it is of importance to know whether this group is homogeneous or not. In the present study, different groups of precontemplators were distinguished according to their long-term quitting smoking plan: 861 precontemplators were asked to indicate the one plan that best fitted their own plans with regard to their smoking behavior: (1) planning to never quit and not planning to cut down (n = 194), (2) planning to never quit but planning to cut down (n = 186), (3) planning to quit somewhere in the future but not within the next 5 years (n = 290), (4) planning to quit within the next 5 years (n = 136) and (5) planning to quit within the next year but not within the next 6 months (n = 54). These groups of smokers were compared on several variables cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The results indicate that the psychological factors that will have to be targeted in smoking cessation interventions in efforts to motivate smokers to quit could be assessed reliably in precontemplators. Furthermore, precontemplators with different quitting plans differed on several cognitive variables and the quitting plans at pre-test were predictive of quitting activity after 7 months. Precontemplators who received self-help smoking cessation materials made forward changes in quitting plans and these changes seemed to follow a certain order. Forward changes in plans were differentially related to positive outcome expectations, to self-efficacy expectations depending on the quitting plan and not to changes in negative outcomes. The present study is one step in mapping the psychology of low motivation to change behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The dental appointment and patient behavior. Differences in patient and practitioner preferences, patient satisfaction, and adherence.

Although the quantity and, in many cases, the quality of research on the practitioner-patient interaction has improved over the last 10-15 years, many related topics remain largely unexplored. The relationship of the similarity of practitioner and patient preferences to treatment adherence has not been carefully investigated, either in a medical or dental setting. This paper presents a study of patient and practitioner preferences for a dental appointment, and assesses the impact of their similarity on patient satisfaction with the appointment and adherence to the recommended treatment regimen. Results indicate that the similarity of patient and dental student preferences for an appointment is a very significant predictor of patient satisfaction with the appointment, reported improvement in oral hygiene behavior, and actual improvement in objective dental health. Patient satisfaction was, in turn, an independent predictor of reported behavior change and objective improvement in dental health. Similarity of patient and practitioner preferences for appointments should be studied more carefully in future doctor- and dentist-patient interaction research, as it is a critical variable for understanding how the interaction experience is translated into patient behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Playmate preferences of children who are typically developing for their classmates with special needs.

The social preferences of children who are typically developing towards peers with special needs in inclusive preschool classrooms were examined. Children with special needs received few positive playmate preference nominations, but not a significant number of negative nominations. Children were disliked if they were aggressive, irrespective of disability status. Interventions need to be focused on improving the social skills of children with special needs and teaching preschool age children who are typically developing to understand the behaviors of classmates with special needs.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1992

Long-term care choices for geriatric residents.

Nursing home residents have been customarily excluded from participating in making decisions about their own care. However, gerontological nurses have demonstrated that giving residents choices about their daily activities enhances resident independence and self-esteem. Study results indicate that residents in long-term care facilities are not receiving opportunities to make choices about their daily activities as often as choices are made for them. Many of the choice-giving behaviors did not take any more of the caregiver's time. The study assumed that choices about daily activities, dressing, and group participation were important to residents. Future study should include a survey of residents to determine what type of choices are important to them. Residents could be asked to prioritize activities that they would most like to have a choice about.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Social skills deficits in schizotypal personality disorder.

Evidence of long-standing social difficulties has been well documented in persons with schizophrenia. These deficits are often so rudimentary that a person with schizophrenia may never have developed the skills necessary to present as socially competent. Given the cognitive, biological, and neuroanatomical links between schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD), a study of social skills in persons with SPD may reveal a behavioral link. This study examined persons with SPD and their ability to label emotions in a recognition task, to display socially competent behaviors in a social role-play task, and to select appropriate behaviors from a multiple choice measure of social behavior. Results indicated that the performance of persons with SPD was similar to previously published findings in persons with schizophrenia. In terms of emotion recognition, the SPD group's ability to label positive emotions was significantly worse than their ability to label other emotions. Persons with SPD performed significantly worse than matched control participants on a social role-play task. However, the groups were equivalent in their ability to select socially appropriate behavior from a multiple choice measure. These results suggest that persons with SPD display social skills which mirror those previously reported in persons with schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗