The power of goal-directed processes in the causation of emotional and other actions

Standard dual-process models in the action domain postulate that stimulus-driven processes are responsible for suboptimal behavior because they take them to be rigid and automatic and therefore the default. We propose an alternative dual-process model in which goal-directed processes are the default instead. We then transfer the dual- process logic from the action domain to the emotion domain. This reveals that emotional behavior is often attributed to stimulus-driven processes. Our alternative model submits that goal-directed processes could be the primary determinant of emotional behavior instead. We evaluate the type of empirical evidence required for validating our model and we consider implications of our model for behavior change, encouraging strategies focused on the expectancies and values of action outcomes. </jats:p

The presence of your absence:A conditioning theory of grief

I present a conditioning theory of grief. From conditioning research on appetitive disorders (e.g., addiction and binge eating), I borrow the concept cue-elicited craving. More precisely, the theory postulates that, throughout a life together, a variety of cues become associated with the presence of the loved one and that because of this these cues can trigger craving and (an action tendency for) searching for the deceased. Starting from this perspective, I additionally invoke extinction phenomena to explain the possible persistence of grief. Arguably, the theory has good heuristic value, because it allows to explain a variety of grief symptoms and to bring together existing knowledge in a unifying learning framework. In addition, the theory has good predictive value, because it opens the door to considering new research and treatment directions

Memories of 100 years of human fear conditioning research and expectations for its future

This special issue celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Little Albert study, published in February 1920, which marked the birth of human fear conditioning research. The collection of papers in this special issue provides a snapshot of the thriving state of this field today. In this Editorial, we first trace the historical roots of the field and then provide a conceptual analysis of the many ways in which human fear conditioning is currently used in theory and treatment development, with special reference to the contributions in this special issue. Ivan P. Pavlov allegedly claimed that "If you want new ideas, read old books". We could not agree more; it is our conviction that tracing the roots of our field illuminates current trends and will contribute to shaping new directions for the next 100 years of research

Extinction learning as pretrauma vulnerability factor of posttraumatic stress:a replication study

BACKGROUND: Learning tasks have been used to predict why some, and not others, develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a traumatic event. There is some evidence from prospective studies in high risk profession samples that reduced extinction learning might represent a marker or even a vulnerability factor for PTSD development. OBJECTIVE: Since the evidence is scarce, the aim of this study was to perform a conceptual replication of an earlier prospective study, testing whether pretrauma extinction learning predicts later PTSD symptom severity. METHOD: A sample of 529 fire fighters performed a conditioning task at baseline and filled out questionnaires to assess PTSD symptom severity and neuroticism. At six and 12 months follow-up, exposure to stressful events and PTSD symptom severity were measured. RESULTS: Results indicate that previous findings were not replicated: although reduced extinction learning was associated with higher PTSD symptom severity at baseline, extinction learning did not predict PTSD symptom severity at follow-up. Only PTSD symptom severity at baseline and stressor severity predicted PTSD symptom severity at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Since earlier findings on the predictive value of pre-trauma extinction learning on PTSD symptom severity were not replicated, extinction learning might not be a general risk factor PTSD for all individuals. More prospective studies including multiple factors seem needed to unravel the complex relationships of these factors influencing PTSD development. HIGHLIGHTS: Reduced extinction learning correlated with higher PTSD symptom severity at baseline. Reduced extinction learning did not predict PTSD symptom severity at follow-up. The predictive effect of pre-trauma extinction learning on PTSD was not replicated

Red Raspberries: Effective Dispute Settlement in the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement

By negotiating the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, the Canadian government sought to ensure its exporters more secure and predictable access to the huge United States market, where a majority of Canadian foreign trade is conducted. Canadian exporters were especially concerned with the increased imposition of antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) by the United States. Trade laws in the United States are effected through the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce (ITA). These bodies are central to the bifurcated, quasi-judicial administrative system used in the United States to resolve antidumping and countervailing duty complaints. The ITC determines whether the imported product has materially injured a domestic producer, and the ITA determines the amount of subsidy or dumping margin which exists

Red Raspberries: Effective Dispute Settlement in the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement

By negotiating the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, the Canadian government sought to ensure its exporters more secure and predictable access to the huge United States market, where a majority of Canadian foreign trade is conducted. Canadian exporters were especially concerned with the increased imposition of antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) by the United States. Trade laws in the United States are effected through the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce (ITA). These bodies are central to the bifurcated, quasi-judicial administrative system used in the United States to resolve antidumping and countervailing duty complaints. The ITC determines whether the imported product has materially injured a domestic producer, and the ITA determines the amount of subsidy or dumping margin which exists