Aversion, interpretation and determinability: Three factors of uncertainty that may play a role in psychopathology

This opinion piece considers the construct of tolerance of uncertainty and suggests that it should be viewed in the context of three psychological factors: uncertainty aversion, uncertainty interpretation, and uncertainty determinability. Uncertainty aversion refers to a dislike of situations in which the outcomes are not deterministic and is similar to conventional conceptions of (in)tolerance of uncertainty. Uncertainty interpretation refers to the extent to which variability in an observed outcome is interpreted as random fluctuation around a relatively stable base-rate versus frequent and rapid changes in the base-rate. Uncertainty determinability refers to the (actual or perceived) capacity of the individual to generate any meaningful expectancy of the uncertain outcome, which may be undeterminable if predictions are updated too quickly. We argue that uncertainty interpretation and determinability are psychological responses to the experience of probabilistic events that vary among individuals and can moderate negative affect experienced in response to uncertainty. We describe how individual differences in basic parameters of associative learning (modelled by a simple learning window) could lead to this variation. To explain these hypotheses, we utilise the distinction between aleatory uncertainty (the inherent unpredictability of individual stochastic events) and epistemic uncertainty (obtainable knowledge that the individual lacks or perceives to be lacking). We argue that when expectancies are updated quickly, epistemic uncertainty will dominate the individual’s representation of the events around them, leading to a subjective experience of the world as one that is volatile and unpredictable

Mapping the specific pathways to early-onset mental health disorders : the "Watch Me Grow for REAL" study protocol

Background: From birth, the human propensity to selectively attend and respond to critical super-stimuli forms the basis of future socio-emotional development and health. In particular, the first super-stimuli to preferentially engage and elicit responses in the healthy newborn are the physical touch, voice and face/eyes of caregivers. From this grows selective attention and responsiveness to emotional expression, scaffolding the development of empathy, social cognition, and other higher human capacities. In this paper, the protocol for a longitudinal, prospective birth-cohort study is presented. The major aim of this study is to map the emergence of individual differences and disturbances in the system of social-Responsiveness, Emotional Attention, and Learning (REAL) through the first 3 years of life to predict the specific emergence of the major childhood mental health problems, as well as social adjustment and impairment more generally. A further aim of this study is to examine how the REAL variables interact with the quality of environment/caregiver interactions. Methods/Design: A prospective, longitudinal birth-cohort study will be conducted. Data will be collected from four assessments and mothers' electronic medical records. Discussion: This study will be the first to test a clear developmental map of both the unique and specific causes of childhood psychopathology and will identify more precise early intervention targets for children with complex comorbid conditions

Behind film performance in China’s changing institutional context:The impact of signals

Grounded in signaling theory, this paper investigates the signals reflecting product quality, innovativeness, reputation and cultural background which influence film performance, i.e. film survival (duration on cinema screen) and box office success, in China’s changing institutional context. This market has grown substantially and still possesses potential for further development. However, China’s unique institutional context presents challenges. By examining an expanded range of potential signals, two of which have not previously been examined in the literature, namely imported films and enhanced format film formats such as 3D and IMAX, we develop a conceptual framework and argue that signaling theory needs to be combined with institutional context. Similar to findings for film industries in other countries, we find quality and reputational signals including budget, star power, sequels, and online consumer reviews to be important in China. However, unique results are also revealed. Chinese consumers react to an innovativeness signal in that they are specifically attracted to enhanced format films. Film award nominations and prizes are insignificant reputational signals. Once other signals are taken into account, imported films on average do not perform as well as domestic films. We link these findings to China’s unique institutional setting and offer important implications for management, recognizing the challenges to film companies of competing in an increasingly globalized market. The paper is also of relevance to policymakers given their continued efforts in shaping the development of China’s film industry

The Development and assessment of a Differential Amygdala Activation Model in psychopathy

This thesis introduces a novel hypothesis regarding amygdala function in psychopathy. The first chapter of the thesis will introduce a model of differential amygdala activation (DAAM) in which the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is underactive while the activity of the central amygdala (CeA) is of average to above average levels. This model is proposed to provide a more accurate and up-to-date account for the specific cognitive and emotional deficits found in psychopathy and integrates current knowledge regarding the function of neurochemical systems implicated in the disorder. The remainder of the thesis then tests some of the hypotheses that are generated by the model.The main sample used in this thesis comprised children aged between 4 and 12 years old referred to clinical services for antisocial behaviour problems. The functions of the serotonin and oxytocin systems were indexed via both peripheral blood measures and genetic data. An emotion-recognition task was used to assess fear-recognition deficits and a novel learning task was developed in order to enable the assessment of learning-style.It was hypothesised that high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits would be associated with diminished function of both the serotonin and oxytocin systems. Evidence was found from both peripheral measures and from genetic analyses to support these hypotheses. With regards to cognitive deficits, it was predicted that people with high levels of psychopathic traits would demonstrate a bias in learning-style. Pilot data from the novel learning task supported this hypothesis and the relationship between findings from this task and serotonin-system function was concordant with the hypotheses made by the DAAM. Finally, it was predicted that fear-recognition ability would be associated with callous-unemotional traits and that this would be uniquely related to serotonin-system function. Results from the analysis of both peripheral serotonin levels and genetic data supported this hypothesis.In all, the results presented in this thesis provide initial support for the hypotheses made by the DAAM regarding the role of the serotonin and oxytocin systems in psychopathy and the influence of these on basic cognitive functions. The limitations and implications of these findings are discussed

An exploration of the serotonin system in antisocial boys with high levels of callous-unemotional traits.

The serotonin system is thought to play a role in the aetiology of antisocial and aggressive behaviour in both adults and children however previous findings have been inconsistent. Recently, research has suggested that the function of the serotonin system may be specifically altered in a sub-set of antisocial populations - those with psychopathic (callous-unemotional) personality traits. We explored the relationships between callous-unemotional traits and functional polymorphisms of selected serotonin-system genes, and tested the association between callous-unemotional traits and serum serotonin levels independently of antisocial and aggressive behaviour.Participants were boys with antisocial behaviour problems aged 3-16 years referred to University of New South Wales Child Behaviour Research Clinics. Participants volunteered either a blood or saliva sample from which levels of serum serotonin (N = 66) and/or serotonin-system single nucleotide polymorphisms (N = 157) were assayed.Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms from the serotonin 1b receptor gene (HTR1B) and 2a receptor gene (HTR2A) were found to be associated with callous-unemotional traits. Serum serotonin level was a significant predictor of callous-unemotional traits; levels were significantly lower in boys with high callous-unemotional traits than in boys with low callous-unemotional traits.Results provide support to the emerging literature that argues for a genetically-driven system-wide alteration in serotonin function in the aetiology of callous-unemotional traits. The findings should be interpreted as preliminary and future research that aims to replicate and further investigate these results is required

Serotonin-System Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and their Functions.

<p><i>Note</i>: 5-HT = 5 hydroxytryptamine (serotonin); TPH = tryptophan hydroxylase; 5HTT = serotonin transporter protein.</p