Stroop Interference in a Delayed Match-To-Sample Task: Evidence for Semantic Competition

Discussions of the source of the Stroop interference effect continue to pervade the literature. Semantic competition posits that interference results from competing semantic activation of word and color dimensions of the stimulus prior to response selection. Response competition posits that interference results from competing responses for articulating the word dimension vs. the color dimension at the time of response selection. We embedded Stroop stimuli into a delayed match-to-sample (DMTS) task in an attempt to test semantic and response competition accounts of the interference effect. Participants viewed a sample color word in black or colored fonts that were ongruent or incongruent with respect to the color word itself. After a 5 s delay, participants were presented with two targets (i.e., a match and a foil) and were instructed to select the correct match. We probed each dimension independently during target presentations via color targets (i.e., two colors) or word targets (i.e., two words) and manipulated whether the semantic content of the foil was related to the semantic content of the irrelevant sample dimension (e.g., word sample “red” in blue font with the word “red” as the match and the word “blue” as the foil). We provide evidence for Stroop interference such that response times (RTs) increased for incongruent trials even in the presence of a response option with semantic content unrelated to the semantic content of the irrelevant sample dimension. Accuracy also deteriorated during the related foil trials. A follow-up experiment with a 10 s delay between sample and targets replicated the results. Results appear to provide converging evidence for Stroop interference in a DMTS task in a manner that is consistent with an explanation based upon semantic competition and inconsistent with an explanation based upon response competition

On the Use of Multilevel Modeling as an Alternative to Items Analysis in Psycholinguistic Research

The use of multilevel modeling is presented as an alternative to separate item and subject ANOVAs (F1 x F2) in psycholinguistic research. Multilevel modeling is commonly utilized to model variability arising from the nesting of lower level observations within higher level units (e.g., students within schools, repeated measures within individuals). However, multilevel models can also be used when two random factors are crossed at the same level, rather than nested. The current work illustrates the use of the multilevel model for crossed random effects within the context of a psycholinguistic experimental study, in which both subjects and items are modeled as random effects within the same analysis, thus avoiding some of the problems plaguing current approaches

Weather warning uncertainty: High severity influences judgment bias.

Information about hurricanes changes as the storm approaches land. Additionally, people tend to think that severe events are more likely to occur even if the probability of that event occurring is the same as a less severe event. Thus, holding probability constant, this research tested the influence of severity on storm judgments in the context of updates about the approaching storm’s severity. In two studies, participants watched one of four (Experiment 1) or one of five (Experiment 2) series of updating hurricane warnings. The position of Category 1 and Category 5 hurricane warnings in the series varied (e.g., Category 1 first and Category 5 last, or Category 5 first and Category 1 last). After the videos, participants made judgments about the approaching storm. In Experiment 1, participants generally overestimated the threat of the storm if they saw a Category 5 hurricane warning in any position. Experiment 2, designed to test whether Experiment 1 results were due to a contrast effect, revealed a similar pattern to Experiment 1. Overall, when participants saw a Category 5 hurricane warning, they overestimated severity regardless of updates that the storm had decreased in severity. These findings demonstrate the importance of severity information and that, rather than underestimate, people tend to overestimate weather threat

Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation among Nursing Students: Investigating the Mediation Effect of Working Memory Capacity

This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and emotion regulation in nursing students as well as the potential mediator role of working memory capacity in this relationship. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and an Automated Operation Span Task (AOSPAN) were administered to 80 undergraduate pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students. Pearson correlation, structural equation path modeling, and one-way ANOVA tests were conducted. MAAS scores were significantly correlated with ERQ-Reappraisal scores (r = 0.19, p = 0.045) and AOSPAN scores (r = 0.30, p = 0.004). A structural equation path model indicated that there was a direct effect of dispositional mindfulness on emotion regulation (γ11 = 0.29, p = 0.034) and working memory capacity (γ21 = 4.98, p = 0.004). However, working memory capacity did not directly mediate the effect of mindfulness on emotion regulation (b weight = −0.03, p = 0.236). Also, MAAS scores were significantly different (p \u3c 0.05) between the student cohort levels, with the first semester students having the highest MAAS scores and the fourth semester students have the lowest MAAS scores. These findings suggest that mindfulness may influence prospective nursing professionals’ working memory capacity and ability to regulate emotions. However, working memory capacity did not explain how mindfulness influenced the use of reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy. Nurse educators should consider other potential mechanisms of how mindfulness influences emotion regulation in nursing students. Furthermore, educators should consider that potential differences in mindfulness exist between nursing students when they implement mindfulness-based interventions

Verhaltensmedizin, Psychotherapie und Zahnheilkunde

Biological, psychological and social processes are of relevance in the development and treatment of dental disorders. However, knowledge about interactions among these factors has only few implications for clinical practice. Hence, the goal of this article is to provide an overview of the links between behavioral medicine, psychotherapy and dentistry. The biobehavioral implications of different dental illnesses and disorders (caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, burning-mouth syndrome, and halitosis) as well as biobehavioral characteristics of specific patient groups are presented. The existing scientific knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of behavioral medicine, psychotherapy and dentistry provides the basis for a variety of treatment approaches. Its efficacy has, in part, already been confirmed. The integration of knowledge on psychobiological processes underlying psychotherapy and dental illnesses may lead to new interventions, based on the concept of neuropsychotherapy. It can be expected that further studies on the efficacy and effectiveness of specific biobehavioral interventions will significantly contribute to an increase in oral health