24,679 research outputs found
Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories
Objectives: Vivid and intrusive memories of extreme trauma can disrupt a stepwise approach to
imaginal exposure. Concurrent tasks that load the visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) of working memory
reduce memory vividness during imaginal exposure. Such tasks may help maintain a progressive
exposure protocol while minimizing distress during treatment. The current study tested whether relief
of distress from a competing VSSP load during emotive imagery is at the cost of impaired
desensitization.
Design: This study examined repeated exposure to emotive memories using 18 unselected
undergraduates, using a within-subjects design.
Method: Participants recalled three positive and three negative self-related memories, and rated the
vividness and emotiveness of the image. Participants then received all three conditions (Eye
Movements; Visual Noise; Control) in a counterbalanced order. One positive and one negative
recollection were used for each condition. They then rated the vividness of the image and their
emotional response before proceeding to the next trial. There were 8 trials for each image. At a noninterference
session one week later, participants recalled each image, rating its vividness and their
emotional response.
Results: Consistent with previous research, vividness and distress during imaging were lower during
eye movements than in exposure alone, with passive visual interference giving intermediate results.
A small reduction in emotional responses a week later was of similar size for the three conditions
Brief guided imagery and body scanning interventions reduce food cravings
mindfulness cognition food intrusive thoughts acceptance eatingElaborated Intrusion (EI) Theory proposes that cravings occur when involuntary thoughts about food are elaborated; a key part of elaboration is affectively-charged imagery. Craving can be weakened by working memory tasks that block imagery. EI Theory predicts that cravings should also be reduced by preventing involuntary thoughts being elaborated in the first place. Research has found that imagery techniques such as body scanning and guided imagery can reduce the occurrence of food thoughts. This study tested the prediction that these techniques also reduce craving. We asked participants to abstain from food overnight, and then to carry out 10 minutes of body scanning, guided imagery, or a control mind wandering task. They rated their craving at ten points during the task on a single item measure, and before and after the task using the Craving Experience Questionnaire. While craving rose during the task for the mind wandering group, neither the guided imagery nor body scanning group showed an increase. These effects were not detected by the CEQ, suggesting that they are only present during the competing task. As they require no devices or materials and are unobtrusive, brief guided imagery strategies might form useful components of weight loss programmes that attempt to address cravings
Paying attention to meaning
Several paradigms show that responses to one event
compromise responses to a second event for around 500 ms.
Such effects are generally attributed to attentional capacity
limitations associated with processing information in the first
event. In a task in which targets could be distinguished only by
their meaning, we varied the semantic relationship between
distractors and targets following at different lags. Semantic
relatedness alone produced a classic attentional blink. We conclude
by discussing how attention theory might best accommodate
these new effects
Soil sustainability in organic agricultural production
Traditionally, the assessment of soil sustainability and the potential impact of cultivation are based upon the application of chemical procedures. In the absence of a biological context, these measurements offer little in understanding longterm changes in soil husbandry. Detailed microcosm investigations were applied as a predictive tool for management change. The microcosms were designed with homogenised soils treated with organic amendments. Key soil functional relationships were quantified using stable isotope techniques, biochemical measurements and traditional approaches
Radiochemical synthesis of pure anhydrous metal halides
Method uses radiation chemistry as practical tool for inorganic preparations and in particular deposition of metals by irradiation of their aqueous metal salt solutions with high energy electrons. Higher valence metal halide is dissolved in organic liquid and exposed to high energy electrons. This causes metal halide to be reduced to a lower valence metal halide
Secondary literacy across the curriculum: Challenges and possibilities
This paper discusses the challenges and possibilities attendant upon successfully implementing literacy across the curriculum initiatives – or ‘school language policies’ as they have come to be known - particularly at the secondary or high school level. It provides a theoretical background to these issues, exploring previous academic discussions of school language policies, and highlights key areas of concern as well as opportunity with respect to school implementation of such policies. As such, it provides a necessary conceptual background to the subsequent papers in this special issue, which focus upon the Secondary Schools’ Literacy Initiative (SSLI) – a New Zealand funded programme that aims to establish cross-curricular language and literacy policies in secondary schools
Production of pure metals
A process for depositing elements by irradiating liquids is reported. Ultra pure elements are precipitated from aqueous solutions or suspensions of compounds. A solution of a salt of a metal to be prepared is irradiated, and the insoluble reaction product settles out. Some chemical compounds may also be prepared in this manner
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