Decision making as a predictor of first ecstasy use: a prospective study

Ecstasy (+/- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a widely used recreational drug that may damage the serotonin system and may entail neuropsychological dysfunctions. Few studies investigated predictors for ecstasy use. Self-reported impulsivity does not predict the initiation of ecstasy use; the question is if neuropsychological indicators of impulsivity can predict first ecstasy use. This study tested the hypothesis that a neuropsychological indicator of impulsivity predicts initiation of ecstasy use. Decision-making strategy and decision-making reaction times were examined with the Iowa Gambling Task in 149 ecstasy-naive subjects. The performance of 59 subjects who initiated ecstasy use during a mean follow-up period of 18 months (range, 11-26) was compared with the performance of 90 subjects that remained ecstasy-naive. Significant differences in decision-making strategy between female future ecstasy users and female persistent ecstasy-naive subjects were found. In addition, the gap between decision-making reaction time after advantageous choices and reaction time after disadvantageous choices was smaller in future ecstasy users than in persistent ecstasy-naives. Decision-making strategy on a gambling task was predictive for future use of ecstasy in female subjects. Differences in decision-making time between future ecstasy users and persistent ecstasy-naives may point to lower punishment sensitivity or higher impulsivity in future ecstasy users. Because differences were small, the clinical relevance is questionabl

Clusters of alcohol abstainers and drinkers incorporating motives against drinking: a random survey of 18 to 34 year olds in four cities in four different continents

Objective: The aim of this analysis was to identify alcohol consumption clusters for adolescents and early adults according to attitudes to drinking, motivations against drinking and perceptions associated with alcohol. Method: Interviews were undertaken with people aged 18–34 years old living in four cities in different regions of the world. Multistage random sampling was consistent across the four cities (Ilorin (Nigeria), Wuhan (China), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Moscow (Russia)). The questionnaire was forward and back translated into relevant languages and face-to-face interviewing undertaken. The data were weighted to the population of each city. In total 6235 structured interviews were undertaken (1391 in Ilorin, 1600 in Montevideo, 1604 in Moscow and 1640 in Wuhan). Questions regarding motivation against alcohol consumption (14 items), assessing perceptions (3 items) and attitudes to drinking in certain situations (8 items) were asked of all respondents including abstainers. Factor analysis was initially undertaken to identify highly related correlated variables. Results: Cluster analysis provided a variety of clusters (Ilorin (3 clusters), Montevideo (5), Moscow (4) and Wuhan (4)). At least one cluster in each city was dominated by abstainers and another by heavy episodic drinkers. Variations by city and alcohol consumption patterns existed in regards to variables included. Conclusion: This analysis detailed the city specific motivations against drinking alcohol, and the attitudes towards alcohol consumption. Differences highlight the influence of country/city specific culture, customs, laws, societal norms and traditions

Exposure to food cues moderates the indirect effect of reward sensitivity and external eating via implicit eating expectancies.

Previous research has suggested that the expectancy "eating is rewarding" is one pathway driving the relationship between trait reward sensitivity and externally-driven eating. The aim of the current study was to extend previous research by examining the conditions under which the indirect effect of reward sensitivity and external eating via this eating expectancy occurs. Using a conditional indirect effects approach we tested the moderating effect of exposure to food cues (e.g., images) relative to non-food cues on the association between reward sensitivity and external eating, via eating expectancies. Participants (N = 119, M = 18.67 years of age, SD = 2.40) were university women who completed a computerised food expectancies task (E-TASK) in which they were randomly assigned to either an appetitive food cue condition or non-food cue condition and then responded to a series of eating expectancy statements or self-description personality statements. Participants also completed self-report trait measures of reward sensitivity in addition to measures of eating expectancies (i.e., endorsement of the belief that eating is a rewarding experience). Results revealed higher reward sensitivity was associated with faster reaction times to the eating expectancies statement. This was moderated by cue-condition such that the association between reward sensitivity and faster reaction time was only found in the food cue condition. Faster endorsement of this belief (i.e., reaction time) was also associated with greater external eating. These results provide additional support for the proposal that individuals high in reward sensitivity form implicit associations with positive beliefs about eating when exposed to food cues

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, Research, Applications, and Future.

In this chapter we review the approach-avoidance process theory of personality proposed by Jeffrey Alan Gray (1970, 1973), now widely known as reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST). We begin by placing RST in the broader context of theory and research concerning approach and avoidance motivation. We then provide a snapshot of the animal research upon which the brain-behavior systems of RST were based. Next we discuss the vexed issue of how these systems might manifest themselves in personality space, and we review the latest empirical tests of RST as an explanation of personality variation. Finally, we consider applications of RST beyond personality: specifically, we review current opinion on the relevance of RST to psychopathology and clinical dysfunction and the potential for RST to underlie achievement motivation in learning and performance contexts. We conclude by looking to the future and highlighting a major challenge that we believe RST now faces

Tipping the analytical scales, investigating the use of frequentist equivalence analyses in psychology : a scoping review

202405 bcchVersion of RecordSelf-fundedPublishedC

Rash impulsivity predicts lower anticipated pleasure response and a preference for the supernormal

Browne, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-2668-6229; Rockloff, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-0080-2690Alcohol, other psychoactive substances, high calorie foods, media entertainment, gaming, and retail products are all forms of modern supernormal stimuli. They exhibit exaggerated features that activate evolved reward systems more so than the natural stimuli for which these systems are adapted. Recent findings suggest that people may vary in the strength of their preference toward supernormal stimuli. The current study assessed whether the two-factor model of impulsivity (Dawe & Loxton, 2004) predicts a preference for supernormal stimuli. A cross- sectional survey design (n = 5389) was used to measure anticipatory pleasure for both supernormal and natural-reward experiences; and their hypothesized antecedents: Rash impulsivity (RI) and reward drive (RD). As predicted, RI was positively associated with preference for supernormal stimuli and negatively associat- ed with general anticipatory pleasure ratings. In contrast, RD was positively associated with general pleasure rat- ings, but explained little to no variance in supernormal preference when controlling for RI. The findings link trait rash impulsivity with increased sensitivity to supernormal stimuli, and provide new insights into both constructs

Examining the affective tone of alcohol craving in young drinkers

An abundance of research has examined craving and affective responses to alcohol; however, minimal emphasis has been placed on the relationship between craving and affective states at specific time points of alcohol consumption. Fifty-nine university students (28 light drinkers, 31 heavy drinkers) completed assessments of craving, and positive and negative affect at baseline (Time 1), immediately following consumption of a standard drink of alcohol (Time 2), and 20 min post consumption (Time 3). In light drinkers, craving was positively correlated with positive affect at all 3 time points. In heavy drinkers, craving was only correlated with positive affect at Time 2. There were no associations between craving and negative affect at any time point in either group. A subsequent profile analysis revealed parallel profiles of craving and positive affect over time in light drinkers, but not heavy drinkers. At 20 min post alcohol consumption, a moderated regression showed that the relationship between craving and positive affect weakened as level of alcohol use increased. These findings suggest that craving is positively associated with positive affect in light drinkers, but as levels of drinking escalate, this association dissipates

Rash impulsivity predicts lower anticipated pleasure response and a preference for the supernormal

Alcohol, other psychoactive substances, high calorie foods, media entertainment, gaming, and retail products are all forms of modern supernormal stimuli. They exhibit exaggerated features that activate evolved reward systems more so than the natural stimuli for which these systems are adapted. Recent findings suggest that people may vary in the strength of their preference toward supernormal stimuli. The current study assessed whether the two-factor model of impulsivity (Dawe & Loxton, 2004) predicts a preference for supernormal stimuli. A cross- sectional survey design (n = 5389) was used to measure anticipatory pleasure for both supernormal and natural-reward experiences; and their hypothesized antecedents: Rash impulsivity (RI) and reward drive (RD). As predicted, RI was positively associated with preference for supernormal stimuli and negatively associat- ed with general anticipatory pleasure ratings. In contrast, RD was positively associated with general pleasure rat- ings, but explained little to no variance in supernormal preference when controlling for RI. The findings link trait rash impulsivity with increased sensitivity to supernormal stimuli, and provide new insights into both constructs