Diluting Identity: Applying a Goal Systemic Theory of Group Identification

A goal systemic perspective of group identification that conceptualizes groups as means to goals is proposed. Four studies investigate the effect of equifinality set size (i.e., the number of alternative means available for a given goal) on group identification. Greater equifinality set sizes are hypothesized to dilute the perceived instrumentality of a given means, which is proposed to have implications for group identification. Studies 1 and 2 found evidence that accessibility of multiple groups facilitating the same goal weakens identification with a target group. Study 3 investigated this in the context of optimal distinctiveness paradigm, finding evidence that larger equifinality set sizes dilute identification with minority but not majority groups. Study 4 illustrated that the presence of alternative means to reduce uncertainty lessens identification with extreme groups, and that this effect was mediated by perceived instrumentality. Theoretical and practical implications of the proposed framework are discussed

To the fringe and back : violent extremism and the psychology of deviance

We outline a general psychological theory of extremism and apply it to the special case of violent extremism (VE). Extremism is defined as motivated deviance from general behavioral norms and is assumed to stem from a shift from a balanced satisfaction of basic human needs afforded by moderation to a motivational imbalance wherein a given need dominates the others. Because motivational imbalance is difficult to sustain, only few individuals do, rendering extreme behavior relatively rare, hence deviant. Thus, individual dynamics translate into social patterns wherein majorities of individuals practice moderation, whereas extremism is the province of the few. Both extremism and moderation require the ability to successfully carry out the activities that these demand. Ability is partially determined by the activities’ difficulty, controllable in part by external agents who promote or oppose extremism. Application of this general framework to VE identifies the specific need that animates it and offers broad guidelines for addressing this pernicious phenomenon

New Strategies for Combining Mindfulness with Integrative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) severely impacts social functioning, distress levels, and utilization of medical care compared with that of other major psychiatric disorders. Neither pharmacological nor psychotherapy interventions have adequately controlled cardinal symptoms of GAD: pervasive excessive anxiety and uncontrollable worry. Research has established cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the most effective psychotherapy for controlling GAD; however, outcomes remain at only 50% reduction, with high relapse rates. Mindfulness has been integrated with CBT to treat people suffering from numerous psychiatric disorders, with mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) being the most researched. Preliminary evidence supports MBSR’s potential for controlling GAD symptoms and key researchers suggest mindfulness practices possess key elements for treating GAD. Classical mindfulness (CM) differs significantly from MBSR and possesses unique potentials for directly targeting process and state GAD symptoms inadequately treated by CBT. This article introduces the theory and practice of CM, its differences from MBSR, and a critical review of MBSR and CBT treatments for GAD. CM strategies designed to complement CBT targeting cardinal GAD symptoms are outlined with a case study illustrating its use

Novel App knock-in mouse model shows key features of amyloid pathology and reveals profound metabolic dysregulation of microglia.

BACKGROUND: Genetic mutations underlying familial Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) were identified decades ago, but the field is still in search of transformative therapies for patients. While mouse models based on overexpression of mutated transgenes have yielded key insights in mechanisms of disease, those models are subject to artifacts, including random genetic integration of the transgene, ectopic expression and non-physiological protein levels. The genetic engineering of novel mouse models using knock-in approaches addresses some of those limitations. With mounting evidence of the role played by microglia in AD, high-dimensional approaches to phenotype microglia in those models are critical to refine our understanding of the immune response in the brain. METHODS: We engineered a novel App knock-in mouse model (App RESULTS: Leveraging multi-omics approaches, we discovered profound alteration of diverse lipids and metabolites as well as an exacerbated disease-associated transcriptomic response in microglia with high intracellular Aβ content. The App DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that fibrillar Aβ in microglia is associated with lipid dyshomeostasis consistent with lysosomal dysfunction and foam cell phenotypes as well as profound immuno-metabolic perturbations, opening new avenues to further investigate metabolic pathways at play in microglia responding to AD-relevant pathogenesis. The in-depth characterization of pathological hallmarks of AD in this novel and open-access mouse model should serve as a resource for the scientific community to investigate disease-relevant biology

A TREM2-activating antibody with a blood-brain barrier transport vehicle enhances microglial metabolism in Alzheimer's disease models

van Lengerich et al. developed a human TREM2 antibody with a transport vehicle (ATV) that improves brain exposure and biodistribution in mouse models. ATV:TREM2 promotes microglial energetic capacity and metabolism via mitochondrial pathways. Loss-of-function variants of TREM2 are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting that activation of this innate immune receptor may be a useful therapeutic strategy. Here we describe a high-affinity human TREM2-activating antibody engineered with a monovalent transferrin receptor (TfR) binding site, termed antibody transport vehicle (ATV), to facilitate blood-brain barrier transcytosis. Upon peripheral delivery in mice, ATV:TREM2 showed improved brain biodistribution and enhanced signaling compared to a standard anti-TREM2 antibody. In human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia, ATV:TREM2 induced proliferation and improved mitochondrial metabolism. Single-cell RNA sequencing and morphometry revealed that ATV:TREM2 shifted microglia to metabolically responsive states, which were distinct from those induced by amyloid pathology. In an AD mouse model, ATV:TREM2 boosted brain microglial activity and glucose metabolism. Thus, ATV:TREM2 represents a promising approach to improve microglial function and treat brain hypometabolism found in patients with AD

A Motivational Analysis of Group Schisms

Splinter groups are frequently recognized to be more violent and extreme in ideology than their parent groups, suggesting a need to understand how such schisms arise. Despite their practical significance, however, group schisms are relatively neglected as a topic of interest in social psychological research. Drawing from the literatures of motivation and group processes, the present research sought to further social psychological perspectives on group schisms with an emphasis on explaining the phenomenon of extreme splinter groups. A motivational model of group schisms exploring the roles of goal commitment, group commitment, and expectancy beliefs was developed and tested across six studies using varied designs and samples. Pilot Studies 1-3 supported the central tenet that commitment to a focal goal is associated with increased support for a schism from a moderate group to join an extreme splinter group. Studies 1-3 extended these findings by exploring the effects of social identity and expectancy beliefs. Study 1 found that commitment to a focal goal increased the desire to split from a group to pursue more extreme means to a goal, but social identification with the parent group worked independently to reduce desire for a schism. Study 2 revealed that the relationship between goal commitment and support for a schism could be attenuated when the parent group was perceived as open to compromise. Finally, Study 3 yielded evidence of a three-way interaction effect of commitment, identification with a parent group, and perceptions of a potential splinter group’s efficacy on support for a schism. Implications of these findings for understanding group processes in general and extremist splinter groups in particular are discussed