Causes of unity and disunity in psychology and behaviorism: an encounter with Arthur W. Staats' psychological behaviorism'

The following is a synthesis of a number of interviews with Arthur W. Staats. For the last fifty years A. W. Staats has made important contributions in developmental psychology, learning Psychology, emotional behavior, language, behavioral theory and theoretical unification in psychology. His theoretical proposal, Psychological Behaviorism (PB), is illustrated as a non-eclectic framework for unification between behaviorism and Psychology. In this document we give special consideration to: (a) historical factors in behaviorism history, including similarities and pathways of influence between first- and second- and third-generation behaviorism; (b) theoretical fragmentation in contemporary Psychology; (c) the role of eclecticism as an artificial framework for unification in Psychology; (d) unification in psychology; (e) differentiation between PB and Radical Behaviorism with regard to functional analysis, emotional operation/classic responses, and their theoretical conception of the relationship between basic and applied research; and (f) key concepts in PB, including basic behavioral repertoires, threefunction theory, multi-level theory, experimental-longitudinal method, behavioral use of psychometric tests, and PB theory of intelligence.En este estudio teórico se presenta la síntesis de varias entrevistas mantenidas con Arthur W. Staats. Durante los últimos cincuenta años A. W. Staats ha realizado relevantes contribuciones en psicología del desarrollo, psicología del aprendizaje, comportamiento emocional, lenguaje, teoría conductual y unificación teórica de la psicología, entre otras áreas. Su propuesta teórica, el conductismo Psicológico, se presenta como un marco no ecléctico de unificación entre conductismo y psicología. En el presente documento se discuten especialmente: (a) aspectos históricos del desarrollo del conductismo, incluyendo las similitudes e influencias entre conductismos de primera, segunda y tercera generación, (b) fragmentación teórica en Psicología, (c) papel del eclecticismo como marco artificial para la unificación de la Psicología, (d) unificación de la Psicología, (e) distinciones entre conductismo radical y paradigmático con respecto a análisis funcional, conducta emocional, concepción teórica del vínculo entre investigación básica y aplicada, y (f) conceptos clave del conductismo psicológico (e.g. repertorios básicos de conducta, teoría de las tres funciones del estímulo, teoría multinivel, método experimental-longitudinal, uso conductual de tests psicométricos, teoría paradigmático-conductista de la inteligencia).Neste estudo teórico apresenta-se a síntese de várias entrevistas com Arthur W. Staats. Durante os últimos cinquenta anos A. W. Staats contribuiu de modo relevante para a psicologia do desenvolvimento, psicologia da aprendizagem, comportamento emocional, linguagem, teoria comportamental, e unificação teórica da Psicologia, entre outras áreas. A sua proposta teórica, o comportamentalismo psicológico, apresenta-se como um marco não eclético de unificação entre comportamentalismo e Psicologia. No presente documento discutem-se especialmente: (a) aspectos históricos do desenvolvimento do comportamentalismo, incluindo as semelhanças e influências entre comportamentalismo de primeira, segunda e terceira geraçıes, (b) fragmentação teórica na Psicologia, (c) papel do ecletismo como marco artificial para a unificação da psicologia, (d) unificação da Psicologia, (e) distinçıes entre comportamentalismo radical e paradigmático com respeita à análise funcional, comportamento emocional, concepção teórica do vínculo entre investigação básica e aplicada, e (f) conceitos chave do comportamentalismo psicológico (e.g. repertórios básicos de comportamento, teoria das três funçıes do estímulo, teoria multi-nível, método experimental-longitudinal, uso comportamental de testes psicométricos, teoria paradigmático-comportamental da inteligência).This work was developed during an internship granted by the Andalusian Service of Health (Servicio Andaluz de Salud) at the Hawai’i State Hospital and the University of Hawai’i

Functional analysis in behavior therapy: behavioral foundations and clinical application

This theoretical study reviews the theoretical and applied foundations of a functional analysis strategy in clinical case-formulation. Functional relations between variables are those that demonstrate a mathematical association. Causal functional relations between variables require: (a) covariance, (b) a logical connection, (c) temporal precedence of the causal variable, and (d) absence of a third variable explaining the relation. There are unidirectional, bidirectional, moderating, and mediating (i.e., explanatory) causal functional relations. In a functional analysis the relevant, controllable, and causal functional relations that apply to particular behaviors of an individual are identified. A functionalanalytic approach to case-formulation is designed to minimize clinical judgment bias and optimize clinical decision-making in the assessment and treatment processes. Additional features of a functional analysis and its use for intervention design are discussed within the context of a patient diagnosed with Schizophrenia Paranoid Type. This article also considers the conditional nature and limitations of a functional-analytic approach in clinical psychology.En este estudio teórico se revisan los fundamentos teóricos y aplicados de un modelo de análisis funcional en formulación clínica de casos. Las relaciones funcionales entre variables demuestran una asociación matemática; el subconjunto de relaciones funcionales causales requiere además: (a) covarianza, (b) conexión lógica, (c) precisión temporal de la variable causal y (d) exclusión de terceras variables que expliquen la relación. Hay relaciones funcionales cuasales unidireccionales, bidireccionales, moderadoras y mediadoras (explicativas). En el análisis funcional se identifican las relaciones funcionales relevantes, controlables y causales que se asocian a determinados comportamientos del individuo. Una aproximación analítico-funcional a la formulación clínica de casos está concebida para minimizar los sesgos de juicio clínico y optimizar la toma de decisiones durante los procesos de evaluación y tratamiento. Aspectos adicionales del análisis funcional y de su uso para el diseño de intervenciones se ilustran en el contexto de un caso diagnosticado de esquizofrenia tipo paranoide; entre ellos, un modelo matemático sencillo para estimar la eficacia del tratamiento basado en análisis funcional. Finalmente, consideramos las limitaciones en el contexto clínico de la aproximación al análisis funcional propuesta.Neste estudo teórico revêem-se os fundamentos teóricos e aplicados de um modelo da análise funcional em formulação clínica de casos. As relações funcionais entre variáveis demonstram uma associação matemática; o subconjunto de relações funcionais causais requer: (a) covariância, (b) conexão lógica, (c) precisão temporal da variável causal e (d) exclusão de terceiras variáveis que expliquem a relação. Há relações funcionais causais unidireccionais, bidireccionais, moderadoras e mediadoras (explicativas). Na análise funcional identificam-se as relações funcionais relevantes, controláveis e causais que se associam a determinados comportamentos do indivíduo. Uma aproximação analítico-funcional à formulação clínica de casos está concebida para minimizar os viés de juízo clínico e optimizar a tomada de decisões durante os processos de avaliação e tratamento. Aspectos adicionais da análise funcional e do seu uso para o planeamento de intervenções ilustram-se no contexto de um caso diagnosticado com esquizofrenia tipo paranoide; entre eles, um modelo matemático sensível para estimar a eficácia do tratamento baseado na análise funcional. Finalmente, consideramos as limitações no contexto clínico da aproximação à análise funcional proposta.This article was composed during a scholarship at the Psychology Department of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (October 2003-May 2004) granted by the Servicio Andaluz de Salud as part of a three-years internship program (PIR) in the Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén (Jaén, Spain)

Aspectos funcionales de la psicoterapia analítico funcional.

Se considera una nueva psicoterapia de orientación conductual: la Psicoterapia Analítico Funcional. Se describen brevemente sus fundamentos teóricos, metodológicos y aplicados. Se discuten sus aspectos funcionales desde un punto de vista contextual

A protective personal factor against disability and dependence in the elderly: an ordinal regression analysis with nine geographically-defined samples from Spain

Background Sense of Coherence (SOC) is defined as a tendency to perceive life experiences as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The construct is split in three major domains: Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness. SOC has been associated with successful coping strategies in the face of illness and traumatic events and is a predictor of self-reported and objective health in a variety of contexts. In the present study we aim to evaluate the association of SOC with disability and dependence in Spanish elders. Methods A total of 377 participants aged 75 years or over from nine locations across Spain participated in the study (Mean age: 80.9 years; 65.3% women). SOC levels were considered independent variables in two ordinal logistic models on disability and dependence, respectively. Disability was established with the World health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (36-item version), while dependence was measured with the Extended Katz Index on personal and instrumental activities of daily living. The models included personal (sex, age, social contacts, availability of an intimate confidant), environmental (municipality size, access to social resources) and health-related covariates (morbidity). Results High Meaningfulness was a strong protective factor against both disability (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.29–0.87) and dependence (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.19–0.58) while moderate and high Comprehensibility was protective for disability (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.22–0.70 and OR = 0.39; 95%CI = 0.21–0.74), but not for dependence. Easy access to social and health resources was also highly protective against both disability and dependence. Conclusions Our results are consistent with the view that high levels of SOC are protective against disability and dependence in the elderly. Elderly individuals with limited access to social and health resources and with low SOC may be a group at risk for dependence and disability in Spain.This project was partially funded by a research contract in support of the project “Epidemiological Study of Dementia in Spain” signed by the Pfizer Foundation and Carlos III Institute of HealthS

A protective personal factor against disability and dependence in the elderly: an ordinal regression analysis with nine geographically-defined samples from Spain

Background: Sense of Coherence (SOC) is defined as a tendency to perceive life experiences as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The construct is split in three major domains: Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness. SOC has been associated with successful coping strategies in the face of illness and traumatic events and is a predictor of self-reported and objective health in a variety of contexts. In the present study we aim to evaluate the association of SOC with disability and dependence in Spanish elders. Methods: A total of 377 participants aged 75 years or over from nine locations across Spain participated in the study (Mean age: 80.9 years; 65.3% women). SOC levels were considered independent variables in two ordinal logistic models on disability and dependence, respectively. Disability was established with the World health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (36-item version), while dependence was measured with the Extended Katz Index on personal and instrumental activities of daily living. The models included personal (sex, age, social contacts, availability of an intimate confidant), environmental (municipality size, access to social resources) and health-related covariates (morbidity). Results: High Meaningfulness was a strong protective factor against both disability (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.29-0.87) and dependence (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.19-0.58) while moderate and high Comprehensibility was protective for disability (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.22-0.70 and OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.21-0.74), but not for dependence. Easy access to social and health resources was also highly protective against both disability and dependence. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with the view that high levels of SOC are protective against disability and dependence in the elderly. Elderly individuals with limited access to social and health resources and with low SOC may be a group at risk for dependence and disability in Spain

Prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish populations: A reanalysis of dementia prevalence surveys, 1990-2008

Background This study describes the prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish elderly. Methods We identified screening surveys, both published and unpublished, in Spanish populations, which fulfilled specific quality criteria and targeted prevalence of dementia in populations aged 70 years and above. Surveys covering 13 geographically different populations were selected (prevalence period: 1990-2008). Authors of original surveys provided methodological details of their studies through a systematic questionnaire and also raw age-specific data. Prevalence data were compared using direct adjustment and logistic regression. Results The reanalyzed study population (aged 70 year and above) was composed of Central and North-Eastern Spanish sub-populations obtained from 9 surveys and totaled 12,232 persons and 1,194 cases of dementia (707 of Alzheimer's disease, 238 of vascular dementia). Results showed high variation in age- and sex-specific prevalence across studies. The reanalyzed prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in women; increased with age, particularly for Alzheimer's disease; and displayed a significant geographical variation among men. Prevalence was lowest in surveys reporting participation below 85%, studies referred to urban-mixed populations and populations diagnosed by psychiatrists. Conclusion Prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Central and North-Eastern Spain is higher in females, increases with age, and displays considerable geographic variation that may be method-related. People suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Spain may approach 600,000 and 400,000 respectively. However, existing studies may not be completely appropriate to infer prevalence of dementia and its subtypes in Spain until surveys in Southern Spain are conductedFinancial aid was obtained from the Spanish RECSP C03-09, CIEN C03-06 and CIBERNED networks, and from the Pfizer Foundation in particularS

Prevalence of disability in a composite ≥75 year-old population in Spain: A screening survey based on the International Classification of Functioning

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence and predictors of functional status and disability of elderly people have been studied in several European countries including Spain. However, there has been no population-based study incorporating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework as the basis for assessing disability. The present study reports prevalence rates for mild, moderate, and severe/extreme disability by the domains of activities and participation of the ICF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nine populations surveyed in previous prevalence studies contributed probabilistic and geographically defined samples in June 2005. The study sample was composed of 503 subjects aged ≥75 years. We implemented a two-phase screening design using the MMSE and the World Health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2^ndedition (WHO-DAS II, 12 items) as cognitive and disability screening tools, respectively. Participants scoring within the positive range of the disability screening were administered the full WHO-DAS II (36 items; score range: 0-100) assessing the following areas: Understanding and communication, Getting along with people, Life activities, Getting around, Participation in society, and Self-care. Each disability area assessed by WHO-DAS II (36 items) was reported according to the ICF severity ranges (No problem, 0-4; Mild disability, 5-24; Moderate disability, 25-49; Severe/Extreme disability, 50-100).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The age-adjusted disability prevalence figures were: 39.17 ± 2.18%, 15.31 ± 1.61%, and 10.14 ± 1.35% for mild, moderate, and severe/extreme disability, respectively. Severe and extreme disability prevalence in mobility and life activities was three times higher than the average, and highest among women. Sex variations were minimal, although life activities for women of 85 years and over had more severe/extreme disability as compared to men (OR = 5.15 95% CI 3.19-8.32).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Disability is highly prevalent among the Spanish elderly. Sex- and age-specific variations of disability are associated with particular disability domains.</p