Relational frame theory and human intelligence: a conceptual and empirical analysis

The current thesis builds upon developments in the field of Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which has proposed a behavioural re-examination of the widely used concept of intelligence in terms of derived relational responding (DRR). In the first chapter the concept of intelligence is explored theoretically from a RFT perspective. A framework for the construction of interventions to raise intelligence quotients as calculated by standardised IQ tests is also provided. Specifically, the current thesis proposes that training skills in DRR by utilising multiple exemplar training (MET) can improve intellectual skills. In Experiments 1 and 2, it is shown that, by employing a MET intervention for symmetry and transitivity, modest rises in full scale IQ on the WISC-IIIUK were generated for normally functioning children. In Experiment 3, the MET intervention methodology is further developed across a group of both children and adults to specifically improve the relational skills which appear to underlie intelligence as a behavioural repertoire. The newer methodology is shown to generate repertoires of Same and Opposite relational responding for experimental groups of adults and children, where these repertoires were previously weak or absent. In Experiments 4 and 5, the stimulus control of the intervention is further improved. Experiments 6 and 7 involve the addition of intervention protocols for More- Than/Less-Than relational responding. MET is again shown to facilitate the emergence of DRR for Same and Opposite (Experiments 4 and 5), and also for More-Than/Less- Than (Experiments 6 and 7) with both child and adult groups. However, Experiments 6 and 7 failed to clearly establish the functional dependence of More-Than/Less-Than responding on Opposite relational responding alone. In Experiment 8, participants with an extended history of MET across symmetry, transitivity, Same and Opposite showed rapid acquisition of More-Than/Less-Than DRR. Experiment 9 measured considerable rises in WISC-IIIUK scores across an extended MET intervention for four children. Importantly, similar rises were not seen for a matched control group who had no access to the intervention. In Experiment 10a, a relational abilities index (RAI) is developed for use as a baseline relational skills index. This baseline measure is then correlated with the WISC-IVUK and its subtests for a group of children with learning difficulties (Experiment 10b). Several interesting correlations between relational skills and intelligence are observed in the resulting analysis, although many theoretical and conceptual issues are also suggested by the data. In Experiment 11, a complete MET battery is administered to an educationally challenged child group. Both RAI and full scale IQ scores rise from pre to post intervention. In the closing chapter, the implications of these rises for intellectual disability, educational psychology and behaviour analysis are discussed

Addressing identity/redressing the museum.

This thesis paper expands upon the aspects of identity and power explored in the exhibition that I curated, entitled Being & Making: Artists Investigating Identity, at the Speed Art Museum. The developments on topics of identity prominent in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s fundamentally changed the creation, exhibition, collection and interpretation of art. These changes related to power investigations originating from artists in marginalized groups. The change affected not just the art itself, but also the function of museums and the role they play in forming identity in contemporary visual practice. As institutions of power, art museums absorb investigations of identity into their operations to sustain a current and relevant position in contemporary culture. This process has caused a paradigm shift in museum management and operations. Feminist theory is a major proponent of this shift and is the key to its continuation into the future. I will analyze the relationship between the two ideologies: investigations of identity in contemporary art coupled with the new museology. I will conclude with the assertion that feminist theory is the basis of this paradigm shift. The rise into prominence of investigations of identity and the new museology coincided, as they were influenced and propelled by feminism and by the cultural and political climate at the end of the twentieth century and into the new century. I argue that the new museology resulted from feminist and poststructuralist investigations of identity and power, as museums struggled with their positions as structures of power in the art world

A Relational Frame Training Intervention to Raise Intelligence Quotients: A Pilot Study

The current research consisted of 2 studies designed to test the effectiveness of automated multiple-exemplar relational training in raising children’s general intellectual skills. In Study 1, 4 participants were exposed to multiple exemplar training in stimulus equivalence and the relational frames of SAME, OPPOSITE, MORE THAN, and LESS THAN across several sessions and weeks. WISC (III-UK) measures were taken at baseline, following stimulus equivalence training, and again following relational frame training. Matched against a no-treatment control group, experimental participants showed significant improvements in full-scale IQ following stimulus equivalence training, and a further significant rise following relational frame training. Study 2 administered an improved multiple-exemplar-based relational frame training intervention to 8 children with a range of educational and behavioral difficulties. In 7 of the 8 cases, full-scale IQ as measured by the WISC (IV-UK) rose by at least 1 SD; the improvement was statistically significant at the group level. These data have important implications for the behavioral analysis of intellectual skills and suggest the basis of an intervention to improve general cognitive functioning

A Relational Frame Training Intervention to Raise Intelligence Quotients: A Pilot Study

The current research consisted of 2 studies designed to test the effectiveness of automated multiple-exemplar relational training in raising children’s general intellectual skills. In Study 1, 4 participants were exposed to multiple exemplar training in stimulus equivalence and the relational frames of SAME, OPPOSITE, MORE THAN, and LESS THAN across several sessions and weeks. WISC (III-UK) measures were taken at baseline, following stimulus equivalence training, and again following relational frame training. Matched against a no-treatment control group, experimental participants showed significant improvements in full-scale IQ following stimulus equivalence training, and a further significant rise following relational frame training. Study 2 administered an improved multiple-exemplar-based relational frame training intervention to 8 children with a range of educational and behavioral difficulties. In 7 of the 8 cases, full-scale IQ as measured by the WISC (IV-UK) rose by at least 1 SD; the improvement was statistically significant at the group level. These data have important implications for the behavioral analysis of intellectual skills and suggest the basis of an intervention to improve general cognitive functioning

Evaluation of Salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) and Rainbow Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) pin bones using textural analysis and micro X-ray computational tomography

Industrially, common problems arise with the deboning pin bone process, where Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets, post rigor, are subjected to a pulling process to remove the pin bones from the fillet. This study measured the length of pin bones from two species of fish and two different industrial graded weights, and then used a texture analyser and lCT X-ray to measure the pulling force, break point and volume of the pin bones of both species of fish. Results showed that salmon pin bones required significantly higher pulling force to remove pin bones from the fish fillet when compared with Trout pin bones. Interestingly Trout pin bones were significantly longer and stronger than Salmon pin bones, but had significantly lower volume. This research has progressed the issues surrounding pin boning industrially, however, more studies are required in order to understand if these differences affect the overall deboning pin bone process

The effect of collagenase, water and calcium chloride on the removal of <i>Salmo salar</i> (salmon) and <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i> (trout) pin bones

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the fillet structure on the deboning force required to remove salmon and trout pin bones. Salmon and trout fillets with differing fillet structure were used, in order to study the importance of the fillet structure on the deboning process. In the first test naturally gaping and non-gaping fillets were compared. To confirm the role that the collagen plays within the fillet structure, the fillets underwent series of treatments. Fillets were put into (i) a collagenase solution to remove the collagen in the fillet (ii) a calcium chloride solution to determine if collagen was the main influential factor. Both treated salmon and trout fillets were again compared to untreated fillets from the same batch. The results indicate that collagenase and calcium chloride have a large interaction on deboning force compared to water or no treatments

How can we increase girls’ uptake of maths and physics?

There is a large gender gap in the likelihood of taking maths and physics at A-level, even among high-achieving pupils. In partnership with the STEM Skills Fund, we conducted a study to understand thebarriers that stop girls from taking maths and physics at A-level. This took the form of a small-scale randomised control trial in which girls in Year 11 who were predicted to achieve at least grade 7 (equivalent to at least grade A) in maths, physics or combined science GCSE were offered financial support in return for applying to study physics or maths A-level. As part of this trial, we surveyed 266 girls, as well as a senior staff member across 40 schools, about girls’ A-level subject choices and what drives them. We also conducted four focus groups with 6-8 girls in schools in Bolton, Hull, Birmingham and Portsmouth to discuss these reasons in more detail. This report details our findings

Measurement properties of tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults

Autistic people are at increased risk of experiencing self-harm compared to the general population. However, it is unclear which tools are being used to assess self-harm in autistic people, or whether existing tools need to be adapted for this group. This two-stage systematic review aimed to identify tools used to assess self-harm in autistic and general population adults, evaluate these tools on their measurement properties, and make recommendations for their appropriate use in research and clinical practice. Four databases were systematically searched (PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science). Eight frequently used self-harm assessment tools were identified and assessed for risk of bias, criteria for good measurement properties, and quality of evidence using the COSMIN checklist. Of these, two tools had sufficient evidence of internal consistency (ISAS, QNSSI), and one had been frequently used with autistic adults (NSSI-AT). These three tools may have potential for use with autistic adults but require further investigation for content validity and measurement properties in the autistic population. More research and potential adaptations to current self-harm assessment tools are recommended in order to better conceptualise and understand self-harm and its measurement in autism.</p

Molecular Mechanisms of FLT3-ITD-Induced Leukemogenesis

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Internal tandem duplications in FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase (FLT3-ITDs) are seen in approximately 25% of all acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. FLT3-ITDs induce FLT3 ligand (FL)-independent cellular hyperproliferation, promiscuous and aberrant activation of STAT5, and confer a poor prognosis in patients; however, the molecular mechanisms contributing to FLT3-ITD-induced malignancy remain largely unknown. The protein tyrosine phosphatase, Shp2, is important for normal hematopoiesis as well as hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation, engraftment, and self-renewal. Furthermore, FLT3-ITD- or constitutive active STAT5-expressing CD34+ cells demonstrate enhanced hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal. Together with the previous findings that Shp2 is critical for normal hematopoiesis, that dysregulated Shp2 function contributes to myeloid malignancies, and that Shp2 has been shown to interact with WT-FLT3 tyrosine 599, which is commonly duplicated in FLT3-ITDs, a positive role for Shp2 in FLT3-ITD-induced signaling and leukemogenesis is implied. I demonstrated that Shp2 is constitutively associated with the reported FLT3-ITDs, N51-FLT3 and N73-FLT3, compared to WT-FLT3; therefore, I hypothesized that increased Shp2 recruitment to N51-FLT3 or N73-FLT3 contributes to hyperproliferation and hyperactivation of STAT5. I also hypothesized that Shp2 cooperates with STAT5 to activate STAT5 transcriptional targets contributing to the up-regulation of pro-leukemic proteins. Finally, I hypothesized that reduction of Shp2 would result in diminished N51-FLT3-induced hyperproliferation and activation of STAT5 in vitro, and prevent FLT3-ITD-induced malignancy in vivo. I found that genetic disruption of Ptpn11, the gene encoding Shp2, or pharmacologic inhibition of Shp2 with the novel Shp2 inhibitor, II-B08, resulted in significantly reduced FLT3-ITD-induced hematopoietic cell hyperproliferation and STAT5 hyperphosphorylation. I also demonstrated a novel role of Shp2 in the nucleus of FLT3-ITD-expressing hematopoietic cells where Shp2 and STAT5 co-localized at the promoter region of STAT5-transcriptional target and pro-survival protein, Bcl-XL. Furthermore, using a Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+ mouse model, I demonstrated that reduced Shp2 expression in hematopoietic cells resulted in an increased latency to and reduced severity of FLT3-ITD-induced malignancy. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Shp2 plays an integral role in FLT3-ITD-induced malignancy and suggest that targeting Shp2 may be a future therapeutic option for treating FLT3-ITD-positive AML patients