The effect of acting extraverted versus introverted on affect: testing the reward sensitivity model

A considerable body of research documents the relationship between dispositional extraversion and positive affect, and one recent study found that acting extraverted versus introverted for a short period of time (the manipulation of state extraversion) had an effect on positive affect (McNiel & Fleeson, in press). Building on this work, this study had three purposes: (i) to replicate the finding that the manipulation of state extraversion influences positive affect; (ii) to test whether reward sensitivity is a mechanism in the effect of state extraversion on positive affect via two different types of reward stimuli; and (iii) to determine how the manipulation of state extraversion influences other types of affect. State extraversion was found to have a strong effect on positive affect in a 10-minute dyadic discussion. However, no support for reward sensitivity as a mechanism was found. One type of potential reward stimuli, affectively valenced pictures, did not appear to function as effective reward stimuli. A second type of potential reward stimulus, the physical attractiveness of one's interaction partner, functioned as a reward stimulus but was unrelated to how much state extraversion influenced positive affect. Finally, state extraversion had effects on various types of affect as defined by an affect circumplex. Acting extraverted had the strongest effect on positive affect, and it also had smaller (but still strong) effects on pleasant and activated affect, with these latter two effects being almost equal in magnitude

Electronic Interventions for Alcohol Misuse and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of electronic interventions (e-interventions) may improve treatment of alcohol misuse. PURPOSE: To characterize treatment intensity and systematically review the evidence for efficacy of e-interventions, relative to controls, for reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related impairment in adults and college students. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PubMed) from January 2000 to March 2015 and the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from January 2000 to August 2014. STUDY SELECTION: English-language, randomized, controlled trials that involved at least 50 adults who misused alcohol; compared an e-intervention group with a control group; and reported outcomes at 6 months or longer. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers abstracted data and independently rated trial quality and strength of evidence. DATA SYNTHESIS: In 28 unique trials, the modal e-intervention was brief feedback on alcohol consumption. Available data suggested a small reduction in consumption (approximately 1 drink per week) in adults and college students at 6 months but not at 12 months. There was no statistically significant effect on meeting drinking limit guidelines in adults or on binge-drinking episodes or social consequences of alcohol in college students. LIMITATIONS: E-interventions that ranged in intensity were combined in analyses. Quantitative results do not apply to short-term outcomes or alcohol use disorders. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that low-intensity e-inter ventions produce small reductions in alcohol consumption at 6 months, but there is little evidence for longer-term, clinically significant effects, such as meeting drinking limits. Future e-interventions could provide more intensive treatment and possibly human support to assist persons in meeting recommended drinking limits. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs