Evaluating the Role of Thought in Sensorimotor Enactivism

Sensorimotor enactivism (SSM) was first introduced by O’Regan and Noë in their 2001 paper, ‘A sensorimotor account of vision and visual consciousness.’ Consistent with the initial enactivist theory laid out by Varela, Thompson, and Rosch in their 1991 book, ‘the Embodied Mind,’ SSM posits that perceptual experience is enacted iteratively through an agent’s embodied interactions with their environment. The theory rejects the popular view that cognition is constituted by the existence of internal re-presentations of a predefined external world. Instead, it argues that the apparent richness of our phenomenal experience is illusory, and that perceptual detail, although limited in a given moment, is accessible through the active exploration or our surroundings. In this project, I offer a detailed discussion around the role of reflection from a sensorimotor perspective. I argue that thought is motivated by unfulfilled expectations regarding sensorimotor contingencies, and that it ultimately serves to refine our implicit mastery of these contingencies. I then consider this position in the context of temporal experience, offering a novel response to one of the most fundamental objections to sensorimotor theory

The multidimensional peer victimization scale: A systematic review

© 2018 Developing bullying interventions and testing their success depends on the valid and reliable measurement of peer victimization. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS, Mynard & Joseph, 2000). This systematic review examined 34 published studies demonstrating that the MPVS is a reliable, valid, and psychometrically sound measure for capturing multiple facets of peer victimization across a variety of samples. Results also highlighted that there are relatively stable sex differences in the rates and pattern of peer victimization, with males experiencing more direct forms of victimization and females experiencing more indirect forms of victimization. Recommendations for further research are discussed, alongside new ways to further advance the assessment of peer victimization

Expressive writing and posttraumatic growth: an Internet-based study

This study examined the effects of Internet-based expressive writing on posttraumatic growth. Expressive (n = 14) and control writing (n = 10) participants wrote for 15 min on 3 occasions spaced 3 days apart. Measures of intrusive and avoidant thoughts and posttraumatic growth were administered at baseline and 2- and 8-week postintervention follow-ups. Results showed that posttraumatic growth significantly increased from baseline to 8-week follow-up in the expressive writing group, while there was no significant change in levels of posttraumatic growth in the control group. Intrusive and avoidant cognitions did not differ between writing groups. Analyses of language use showed that greater use of insight words was associated with an increase in posttraumatic growth. Findings are consistent with cognitive processing models of expressive writing and have implications for Internet-administered expressive writing

Cognitive processing and growth following trauma

The possibility of positive psychological change following traumatic life experiences has now been well documented in the literature. This phenomenon is most commonly referred to as posttraumatic growth. Several theoretical models have sought to explain the development of posttraumatic growth, many of which have emphasised the important role of cognitive processing (Calhoun, Cann & Tedeschi, 2010; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004a). This thesis sought to further our understanding of the nature of posttraumatic cognitive processing and its association with psychological growth following trauma and adversity. A narrative review of the existing literature on cognitive processing and posttraumatic growth was conducted (Chapter 2) and suggested that cognitive processing might be best understood as comprising intrusive, deliberate and ruminative subtypes. Two cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal study were then conducted to develop and test this conceptualisation using samples of survivors of sexually traumatic experiences (Study 1; n = 123), trauma-exposed individuals recruited from trauma-focused websites and support forums (Study 2; n = 254), and trauma-exposed students from the University of Nottingham (Study 3; n = 174). The influence of these three subtypes of cognitive processing on levels of growth following adversity were also tested using the expressive writing intervention (Study 4; n = 24). Taken together, findings from the four studies supported the conceptualisation of cognitive processing as multidimensional, comprising intrusive, deliberate and ruminative subtypes that are differentially associated with posttraumatic growth. Results also provided consistent evidence to suggest that deliberate processing is especially important in the occurrence of growth following trauma and adversity. Unexpectedly, intrusive processing was not found to positively influence posttraumatic growth in the ways hypothesised by existing theoretical models. Implications of these findings with respect to both further research and clinical work with trauma survivors were reviewed in the final chapter

Cognitive processing and growth following trauma

The possibility of positive psychological change following traumatic life experiences has now been well documented in the literature. This phenomenon is most commonly referred to as posttraumatic growth. Several theoretical models have sought to explain the development of posttraumatic growth, many of which have emphasised the important role of cognitive processing (Calhoun, Cann & Tedeschi, 2010; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004a). This thesis sought to further our understanding of the nature of posttraumatic cognitive processing and its association with psychological growth following trauma and adversity. A narrative review of the existing literature on cognitive processing and posttraumatic growth was conducted (Chapter 2) and suggested that cognitive processing might be best understood as comprising intrusive, deliberate and ruminative subtypes. Two cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal study were then conducted to develop and test this conceptualisation using samples of survivors of sexually traumatic experiences (Study 1; n = 123), trauma-exposed individuals recruited from trauma-focused websites and support forums (Study 2; n = 254), and trauma-exposed students from the University of Nottingham (Study 3; n = 174). The influence of these three subtypes of cognitive processing on levels of growth following adversity were also tested using the expressive writing intervention (Study 4; n = 24). Taken together, findings from the four studies supported the conceptualisation of cognitive processing as multidimensional, comprising intrusive, deliberate and ruminative subtypes that are differentially associated with posttraumatic growth. Results also provided consistent evidence to suggest that deliberate processing is especially important in the occurrence of growth following trauma and adversity. Unexpectedly, intrusive processing was not found to positively influence posttraumatic growth in the ways hypothesised by existing theoretical models. Implications of these findings with respect to both further research and clinical work with trauma survivors were reviewed in the final chapter

Learning Why Robeson County Residents Are Unaware of Guardian Ad Litem

As a senior and social work major at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, I was required to complete an internship at a qualified agency. I chose Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), a program that advocates for abused and neglected children, since I adore children and care for them dearly (National CASA Association, 2017). After much collaboration with Michelle Ivey, the program administrator, we concluded that a necessary project would be for me to conduct research on why many Robeson County residents are unaware of GAL. The research would help office workers know where to focus their recruitment efforts and how to strengthen their apparatus. I wanted to understand why Robeson County residents are unaware of GAL. Does a person’s specific ethnicity and/or location dictate whether or not they have heard about the program? My goal was to help the county’s GAL gain volunteers and job positions considering the unbalanced scale between abused and neglected children and volunteers

Treatments for bulimia nervosa: a network meta-analysis

Background Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a severe eating disorder that can be managed using a variety of treatments including pharmacological, psychological, and combination treatments. We aimed to compare their effectiveness and to identify the most effective for the treatment of BN in adults. Methods A search was conducted in Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Central from their inception to July 2016. Studies were included if they reported on treatments for adults who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for BN. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined available psychological, pharmacological, or combination therapies licensed in the UK were included. We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) of RCTs. The outcome analysed was full remission at the end of treatment. Results We identified 21 eligible trials with 1828 participants involving 12 treatments, including wait list. The results of the NMA suggested that individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (specific to eating disorders) was most effective in achieving remission at the end of treatment compared with wait list (OR 3.89, 95% CrI 1.19–14.02), followed by guided cognitive behavioural self-help (OR 3.81, 95% CrI 1.51–10.90). Inconsistency checks did not identify any significant inconsistency between the direct and indirect evidence. Conclusions The analysis suggested that the treatments that are most likely to achieve full remission are individual CBT (specific to eating disorders) and guided cognitive behavioural self-help, although no firm conclusions could be drawn due to the limited evidence base. There is a need for further research on the maintenance of treatment effects and the mediators of treatment outcome

Population genomics of Drosophila suzukii reveal longitudinal population structure and signals of migrations in and out of the continental United States

Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila, is now an established pest in many parts of the world, causing significant damage to numerous fruit crop industries. Native to East Asia, D. suzukii infestations started in the United States (U.S.) a decade ago, occupying a wide range of climates. To better understand invasion ecology of this pest, knowledge of past migration events, population structure, and genetic diversity is needed. In this study, we sequenced whole genomes of 237 individual flies collected across the continental U.S., as well as several sites in Europe, Brazil, and Asia, to identify and analyze hundreds of thousands of genetic markers. We observed strong population structure between Western and Eastern U.S. populations, but no evidence of any population structure between different latitudes within the continental U.S., suggesting there is no broad-scale adaptations occurring in response to differences in winter climates. We detect admixture from Hawaii to the Western U.S. and from the Eastern U.S. to Europe, in agreement with previously identified introduction routes inferred from microsatellite analysis. We also detect potential signals of admixture from the Western U.S. back to Asia, which could have important implications for shipping and quarantine policies for exported agriculture. We anticipate this large genomic dataset will spur future research into the genomic adaptations underlying D. suzukii pest activity and development of novel control methods for this agricultural pes

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity.

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant

Development and Validation of the Retrospective Childhood Fantasy Play Scale

Kirkham, J, A., Lloyd, J., & Stockton, H, Development and validation of the retrospective childhood fantasy play scale, Imagination, Cognition and Personality (2018) Vol. 38 Iss. 3 pp. 315-344. Copyright © 2018 SAGE. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.This article describes the development and initial psychometric properties of the Retrospective Childhood Fantasy Play Scale (RCFPS), a brief 11-item retrospective self-report measure of reference for, and engagement with, fantasy play during childhood. Five studies were conducted to (a) develop the initial items for the scale (n =77), (b) determine the underlying factor structure (n = 200), (c) test the fit of the model (n= 530), and (d) and (e) ascertain construct validity (n = 200) and convergent validity (n = 263). Overall, the results suggest that the RCFPS is a unidimensional measure with acceptable fit and preliminary validity. The RCFPS may prove useful in educational and developmental research as an alternative to longitudinal studies to further investigate how childhood fantasy play relates to individual differences in adulthood (e.g., in the areas of creativity, theory of mind, and narrative skills)