Visuospatial memory in dyslexia: evidence for strategic deficits.

Impairments in working memory are suggested to be one of the defining characteristics of dyslexia, and deficits in verbal recall are well documented. However, the situation regarding visuospatial memory is less clear. In a widely used measure, the Corsi blocks task, sequences of visuospatial locations can be recalled forwards, in the order presented (CF), or backwards, in reverse order (CB). Previous research has suggested that, while CF draws on spatial-sequential resources, CB may load executive and distinctly visual processes. While people with dyslexia typically show no deficit on CF, CB is rarely presented. We present three studies which indicate a consistent dyslexic deficit on CB that can be ameliorated by visual strategy instructions. Our data suggest that, without instruction, people with dyslexia are unable to adopt an effective CB strategy and this is consistent with a deficit in executive function. These results have implications for our understanding of visuospatial memory in dyslexia, and also in terms of the administration of the Corsi task to special populations

Sex differences in the relationship between sensation seeking, trait emotional intelligence and delinquent behaviour

Levels of sensation seeking peak in adolescence and there is a well-documented association with delinquency and other risk taking behaviours. The present study investigated the potential moderating effect of trait Emotional Intelligence (EI) on this relationship. Trait EI encompasses high levels of empathy and emotion regulation and is associated with positive outcomes and wellbeing. 96 young adults (48 female; overall Mage = 19.76) completed measures of sensation seeking, trait EI and self-reported delinquent behaviours since age 12. Results indicated that sensation seeking and frequency of delinquent behaviours were positively associated, but this effect was moderated by trait EI for male participants - those with lower trait EI showed a greater increase in delinquency in line with a rise in sensation seeking. No moderation effect was observed for females, and females with higher levels of trait EI reported more delinquent behaviours. The results are discussed in terms of the protective role of trait EI in supporting self-regulation and whether, for some females, high levels of EI might predispose to antisocial relational behaviours

Fantasy proneness and counterfactual thinking

Counterfactual thinking (CFT; mentally simulating alternatives to reality) is central to learning and motivation. Two studies explored the relationship between CFT and fantasy proneness, a personality trait typified by excessive fantasies hard to distinguish from reality. In study1, participants completed a fictional diary entry which was used to measure spontaneous CFT and the Creative Experiences Questionnaire measure of fantasy proneness. Fantasy proneness was significantly correlated with the generation of counterfactual thoughts. Both CFT and fantasy proneness have been independently associated with low mood and study2 included a measure of negative emotional state (the Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale) in addition to the CEQ and CFT. Fantasy proneness and negative emotion both predicted CFT, but no interaction between them was observed. The results suggest that individuals high in fantasy proneness have a general tendency to think counterfactually. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

Investigating the association between fantasy proneness and emotional distress: the mediating role of cognitive coping strategies

Fantasy proneness (FP; the tendency to immersion in imagination) is linked to psychopathology and suggested to be a maladaptive coping strategy. However, some evidence suggests it can be a positive trait. We examined whether the FP-emotional distress relationship is mediated by coping strategy. Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire measure of coping strategies, the Creative Experiences Questionnaire FP scale (Study 1; N=248) and the newly developed Fantasy Questionnaire which measures fantasy across two subscales, creative and imaginative (Study 2; N=208). In Study 1, FP presented positive associations with emotional distress, with maladaptive coping strategies selfblame, rumination and catastrophizing, and with adaptive strategies positive refocussing, planning and positive reappraisal. Mediation indicated that self-blame and rumination partially accounted for the negative relationship between FP and distress, while positive refocussing ameliorated it. In Study 2, creative fantasy showed no relationship with distress, though imaginative fantasy was positively associated, with self-blame mediating the relationship. A tendency to fantasise can negatively influence psychological outcomes particularly in the presence of maladaptive coping. Our data support the suggestion that fantasy proneness is multi-componential and that not all aspects are linked to negative emotion

A Qualitative Evaluation of Recovery Processes Experienced by Mentally Disordered Offenders following a Group Treatment Programme

This study presents a qualitative, user-focused evaluation of a three-day dramatherapy workshop run as part of an 18-week treatment group for mentally disordered sexual offenders (MDSOs). The programme is based in the Good Lives Model and aims overall to increase empathy, victim awareness and emotional awareness. The objective of the present study was to understand offenders’ lived experiences of the workshop and how they perceived it to contribute to their recovery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five offenders and their narratives transcribed. An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, revealed four superordinate themes which we have termed Not being the person I was, Gaining new perspectives, Social Relationships and Barriers. These themes lend support to recent research on treatment and behaviour change in sexual offenders emphasising responsivity and process issues. This study draws particular emphasis to the need to encourage group cohesion and trust, and highlights issues relating to peer comparisons which may impede new perspectives on personal identity and rationale for change. The study also found barriers to change in some participants including impression management, memory problems and varying levels of attraction or, conversely aversion, to dramatherapy techniques. Practical implications for the effective delivery of sex offender treatment groups in the context of personal recovery from mental disorder and offending are discussed

A companion to a quasar at redshift 4.7

There is a growing consensus that the emergence of quasars at high redshifts is related to the onset of galaxy formation, suggesting that the detection of concentrations of gas accompanying such quasars should provide clues about the early history of galaxies. Quasar companions have been recently identified at redshifts up to $z \approx 3$. Here we report observations of Lyman-$\alpha$ emission (a tracer of ionised hydrogen) from the companion to a quasar at $z$=4.702, corresponding to a time when the Universe was less than ten per cent of its present age. We argue that most of the emission arises in a gaseous nebula that has been photoionised by the quasar, but an additional component of continuum light -perhaps quasar light scattered from dust in the companion body, or emission from young stars within the nebula- appears necessary to explain the observations. These observations may be indicative of the first stages in the assembly of galaxy-sized structures.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, plain LaTeX. Accepted for publication in Natur

From quantum fusiliers to high-performance networks

Our objective was to design a quantum repeater capable of achieving one million entangled pairs per second over a distance of 1000km. We failed, but not by much. In this letter we will describe the series of developments that permitted us to approach our goal. We will describe a mechanism that permits the creation of entanglement between two qubits, connected by fibre, with probability arbitrarily close to one and in constant time. This mechanism may be extended to ensure that the entanglement has high fidelity without compromising these properties. Finally, we describe how this may be used to construct a quantum repeater that is capable of creating a linear quantum network connecting two distant qubits with high fidelity. The creation rate is shown to be a function of the maximum distance between two adjacent quantum repeaters.Comment: 2 figures, Comments welcom